News Summary
Attorney Daniel Lifschitz has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the BHUSD Board for allegedly violating public comment laws mandated by the Brown Act. During a board meeting, he claimed that the board has failed to adhere to the Public Comment Obligation, which requires community input before voting on agenda items. Lifschitz outlined instances where the board took public comment on one version of proposals before adopting altered versions without adequate input. He has demanded compliance within 30 days to avoid legal actions.
Beverly Hills, California – Attorney Daniel Lifschitz has delivered a cease-and-desist letter to the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board, accusing it of violating public comment laws required by the Brown Act. This letter was presented during the board meeting on September 9. Lifschitz, a parent of a BHUSD student, claims the board has not adhered to the Public Comment Obligation (PCO), which mandates that public feedback should be solicited before voting on agenda items.
The Brown Act is designed to ensure transparency and public participation in government meetings. Lifschitz contends that the board has been taking public comment on one version of proposals and then adopting altered versions without adequate public input. He emphasizes that this practice fosters potential abuse and undermines the community’s ability to engage meaningfully in the decision-making process.
The cease-and-desist letter specifies that the BHUSD Board has not only disregarded PCO during various discussions but has also outright ignored it during “marathon redlining sessions.” Lifschitz highlights multiple instances where public input was solicited on certain resolutions, including the Standards-Based Instructional Environment resolution, an antisemitism resolution, and a resolution banning flags, only for the board to modify the proposals before voting. This alleged sequence of events prevents the community from providing feedback on the final forms of the agenda items.
The letter references California Government Code Sections 54960 and 54960.2, which allow individuals to take legal action against boards for such violations. Lifschitz has given the BHUSD Board a 30-day timeframe to comply with the specified PCO guidelines, or he will move towards further legal measures.
Within the board, reactions to Lifschitz’s claims have varied. Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern have expressed objections to the alleged violations, while fellow members Sigalie Sabag, Russell Stuart, and Board Vice President Judith Manouchehri reportedly supported these practices. During the public comments, Marcus instructed Lifschitz to avoid naming specific board members, indicating an attempt to refocus the discussion on procedural issues.
In addition to the issues surrounding public comment, the BHUSD Board meeting also addressed various ongoing construction projects. These include the completion of six tennis courts and a softball field at Beverly Hills High School’s Upper Athletic Fields. A new building, the Konheim building, featuring a swimming pool, is currently under construction, with a projected completion date of December 2026. Moreover, construction for the BHHS Grand Lawn is expected to start on September 12, with the Northern Grand Lawn’s completion scheduled for January 2026 and the full lawn by December 2026.
Furthermore, significant security upgrades, including the installation of additional cameras and vape detectors, are anticipated to be completed this month. The board also approved the 2024-25 unaudited actuals, reporting a property tax revenue increase to $70.5 million for the fiscal year, up from $68.2 million the previous year. The district is also preparing for the First Interim Budget Report due by December 9 and a financial audit required by December 15.
The BHUSD school district has been under scrutiny recently due to controversial decisions, such as the reversal of a resolution concerning the display of the flag of Israel, which came in response to safety threats and community backlash. Lifschitz pointed out that the debate surrounding flag displays in schools has stirred significant public outcry, with implications affecting various student communities, notably the LGBTQ+ community.
As the controversy continues, members of the community are left awaiting responses from the BHUSD Board regarding their commitment to public engagement and adherence to legal obligations in future meetings.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Board Served with Cease and Desist Letter
- Wikipedia: Beverly Hills, California
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Board Issued Cease and Desist Letter
- Google Search: California Brown Act
- Beverly Press: Union Sends BHPD Chief Cease and Desist Letter
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Educational Law
- Beverly Press: BHUSD Reverses Course on Flag of Israel
- Google News: BHUSD Board Meetings
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.
