News Summary
The Beverly Hills Unified School District has proposed a new social media policy aimed at regulating content on its platforms. The policy outlines prohibited content, including political endorsements and sharing confidential student information. It requires adherence to branding guidelines and emphasizes oversight by the BHUSD Communications Department. Support from board members was noted, although concerns were raised about a separate Standards-Based Instruction policy. The district is also working on establishing the BHUSD BRIDGE Committee to foster student-business collaborations.
Beverly Hills – On July 22, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) held a meeting to propose a new social media policy aimed at regulating content across all district-affiliated social media platforms. Although not yet approved, the policy seeks to enhance the district’s oversight of online communications related to instructional programs, events, and student organizations among others.
The proposed policy delineates specific types of content that are prohibited, including:
- No political endorsements or partisan messaging.
- No promotion of commercial products or services without explicit district approval.
- No sharing of confidential student information, even if anonymized.
- No graphic, violent, or sensitive material.
- No personal opinions or commentary.
- No misuse of artificial intelligence.
In addition, branding guidelines are to be adhered to, ensuring that all posts utilize BHUSD-branded fonts, colors, logos, and mottos. All social media activity will require review by the BHUSD Communications Department, and any concerns regarding inappropriate or unapproved content should be addressed to site administrators or the superintendent’s designee. Noncompliance with the policy may result in various consequences, including account suspension or administrative action.
Support for the policy was generally evident among board members present during the meeting, although Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern was absent due to an emergency. Changes discussed during the meeting included the expansion of the prohibited content list to include guidelines for the misuse of artificial intelligence. The policy is expected to return for further examination at a future board meeting.
This proposed social media policy follows another policy that was approved on July 16, which limits teachers from discussing political or ideological opinions and sensitive topics not aligned with the curriculum. These recent moves by the board demonstrate ongoing efforts to increase oversight regarding media and communication within the district.
In June, a significant change occurred when the district’s student-led broadcast service, KBEV, ceased live broadcasting of board meetings, which are now streamed via the official BHUSD YouTube channel. The new social media policy will also extend to KBEV’s operations. The transition follows the retirement of longtime KBEV director and journalism professor Romeo Carey, who faced suspension related to an incident involving the district’s executive director of school safety. The ACLU has raised concerns about Carey’s suspension, citing issues of censorship. Although Carey was reinstated on March 5, 2024, the district has not disclosed the circumstances surrounding his earlier suspension.
In conjunction with the social media policy proposal, the BHUSD board discussed the establishment of the BHUSD BRIDGE Committee, which is intended to foster collaborations between students and businesses, as well as create internship opportunities.
During the meeting, public comments highlighted worries about a new Standards-Based Instruction policy, which limits classroom discussions. Judith Chan, a Vocal Music teacher, defended herself against allegations made by Board Member Sabag regarding her teaching methods, asserting that her lessons align with the prescribed curriculum.
Beverly Hills Unified School District has become one of the first school districts to participate in Instagram’s School Partnership Program, aimed at enhancing online protections for students. The implications of the new proposed social media policy, along with the recent developments in district governance, remain to be fully understood as they further materialize in the upcoming board meetings.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: New Policies Shake Up BHUSD
- Wikipedia: Social Media
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Considers Regulating Social Media
- Google Search: Social Media Policies
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Board Member Stuart Defends Social Media Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Social Media
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Launches Social Media Series Connecting Students and Alumni
- Google News: Beverly Hills Unified School District
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
