News Summary
Romeo Carey, a long-serving journalism instructor at Beverly Hills High School, has announced his retirement effective at the end of the school year. Over the years, Carey has significantly contributed to the school’s journalism program, particularly through KBEV, the longest-running student newscast. His leadership led KBEV to numerous accolades, including multiple championships. Despite facing challenges during his tenure, including controversy surrounding his administrative leave, Carey remains committed to journalism education, leaving a lasting legacy as he prepares for retirement.
Beverly Hills
Longtime journalism instructor Romeo Carey has officially announced his retirement from Beverly Hills High School, effective at the conclusion of the 2024-25 school year. The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) shared this news on June 20, marking the end of Carey’s more than two-decade career in education at the institution.
Throughout his tenure, Carey was a significant figure in the journalism department, serving as the executive producer of KBEV, the student-run broadcasting service that has operated since its inception in 1969. Under his leadership, KBEV established itself as a critical platform for student expression, live streaming important district events and offering journalism experience to aspiring media professionals. KBEV is renowned as the longest-running weekly live student newscast globally, a testament to its enduring significance within the school community.
During his career, KBEV students achieved remarkable successes, including winning gold medals at the Los Angeles Regional SkillsUSA Championship for 11 consecutive years from 2014 to 2025. Furthermore, KBEV has garnered more state championship victories than any other school in California. In recognition of these achievements, U.S. Representative Ted Lieu honored KBEV and Carey’s leadership after the program secured second place in Video News Production at the 2024 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference.
Currently, Carey is attending the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta with the KBEV SkillsUSA state championship team, continuing to advocate for student journalism. His commitment to fostering talent is reflected in the achievements of his former students, with five of them being recognized on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list over the past decade.
Carey’s path to retirement has not been without challenges. In December 2024, he was placed on paid administrative leave following KBEV’s reporting on an alleged assault of a student by the district’s executive director of school safety. This decision ignited community backlash, with many residents labeling the leave as an act of censorship and retaliation. The situation intensified as community members expressed their discontent at school board meetings, leading to a grassroots petition that garnered over 900 signatures in support of Carey’s reinstatement.
Legal experts, including Peter Eliasberg, chief counsel for the ACLU of Southern California, raised concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding Carey’s leave and the potential implications for press freedom at KBEV. Carey’s suspension lasted three months, concluding with his reinstatement on March 5 after significant administrative upheaval resulted in the resignation of BHUSD Superintendent Michael Bregy. The district, however, did not provide specific reasons for the suspension.
Upon his return, Carey expressed his commitment to the principles of free press and its essential role as a watchdog in society. In a statement, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss publicly acknowledged Carey’s contributions and his lasting impact on the community. Additionally, Rachelle Marcus, President of the BHUSD Board of Education, noted that Carey’s influence extends well beyond the classroom, highlighting the value he has brought to the school and its students.
As Carey prepares for retirement, KBEV continues to offer educational resources and mentorship opportunities to students interested in pursuing careers in media, ensuring that the legacy of quality journalism education at Beverly Hills High School endures.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Press: Romeo Carey Retires
- Wikipedia: Journalism
- Beverly Press: Carey Reinstated
- Google Search: Romeo Carey
- LA Times: Romeo Carey
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Freedom of the Press
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Board Installs New Officers
- Google News: Beverly Hills Unified School District
