September 16, 2025

BHUSD Board Faces Cease-and-Desist Over Public Comment Violations

News Summary

The BHUSD Board is facing legal action after a cease-and-desist letter claims violations of public comment obligations. Concerns over transparency and community engagement were raised by a parent during a board meeting. The letter demands compliance with laws regarding public input within 30 days. Additional issues include updates on construction projects and financial audits, amidst scrutiny over a pending lawsuit alleging discrimination within the district.

Beverly Hills, California – The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board is facing a cease-and-desist letter delivered by attorney Daniel Lifschitz during the board’s meeting on September 9. Lifschitz, who is a parent of a BHUSD student, alleges that the board has violated public comment obligations as outlined in the Brown Act. This act requires transparency and community engagement and restricts a board’s ability to take action on agenda items without allowing for public input.

Lifschitz contends that the board takes public comments on one version of a proposal but then proceeds to change and pass a significantly different version during the same meeting. This practice, he argues, deprives the public of the chance to address the items the board votes on after they have been modified during the session. Lifschitz pointed to several instances, including the discussions around the Standards-Based Instructional Environment resolution, antisemitism resolution, and the flag ban resolution, as examples of this alleged breach.

The cease-and-desist letter cites California Government Code Sections 54960 and 54960.2, which grant legal recourse against public entities that ignore the PCO. The letter mandates that the BHUSD Board comply with these guidelines within a 30-day period. Furthermore, Lifschitz highlighted that Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern have expressed opposition to the alleged violations, while Vice President Judith Manouchehri and Board Members Sigalie Sabag and Russell Stuart accepted the board’s actions.

During the meeting, Board President Marcus instructed Lifschitz not to mention the names of board members while presenting his comments. New rules were also instituted regarding public comments, emphasizing the prohibition of personal attacks and the discussion of specific personnel or students.

In addition to the ongoing controversy surrounding public comment practices, the session also included updates on various construction projects within the BHUSD. The board reported the completion of six tennis courts and a softball field. Progress on the new Konheim building, which will feature a swimming pool, is ongoing, with an expected completion date set for December 2026. Construction mobilization for the Beverly Hills High School (BHHS) Grand Lawn is set to start on September 12, with partial completion projected for January 2026 and full completion by the end of December 2026.

Furthermore, security upgrades within BHUSD are nearing completion, with systems like cameras and vape detectors set to be installed this month. Financial updates included the board’s approval of the 2024-25 Unaudited Actuals, revealing a property tax revenue increase from $68.2 million the previous year to $70.5 million for the current fiscal year. Upcoming financial reports, including the First Interim Budget Report due by December 9 and a financial audit scheduled for December 15, have also been announced.

Recent scrutiny surrounding the BHUSD includes a pending lawsuit alleging anti-Black racism and discrimination within the district. The board also faced backlash regarding a controversial resolution that mandated the display of the Israeli flag on campuses, a measure that was since reversed due to safety threats reported to the district. This ongoing environment of contention highlights the board’s current challenges as it strives to navigate educational governance amidst heightened tensions and evolving community concerns.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Beverly Hills Hosts Successful Back to School Night
Attorney Challenges BHUSD Board Over Public Comment Violations
Teachers File Lawsuit Against Beverly Hills School District
Beverly Hills School District Reverses Flag Policy
Beverly Hills Unified School District Prioritizes Student Safety
Beverly Hills High School Ranking and Safety Concerns
Beverly Hills Schools Reverse Flag Display Decision
Beverly Hills School Board Reverses Flag Display Decision
UCLA Faces Federal Funding Crisis Amid Trump Administration Demands
UCLA Football Begins Season with Heavy Loss to Utah

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER

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.

STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!

Stay Connected

More Updates

Beverly Hills School Board discussing public comment guidelines

Would You Like To Add Your Business?

Submit