News Summary
The KBEV broadcast program at Beverly Hills High School faces uncertainty following the retirement of longtime instructor Romeo Carey amidst controversy. As the BHUSD has launched a separate YouTube channel for events, alumni and community members express concerns about diminished student involvement and perceived restrictions on student journalism. The transition in program leadership raises questions about the integrity of student-led journalism and the role of faculty within the district, underlining the program’s 56-year legacy and its significance in education.
Beverly Hills, CA – Concerns are mounting over the future of the KBEV broadcast program at Beverly Hills High School following the departure of longtime instructor Romeo Carey and recent controversy surrounding a school official. Carey, who had taught journalism for over 20 years, was placed on paid leave in December 2024 after KBEV broadcasted a report on an alleged assault during a pro-Trump rally on campus. He was reinstated in March 2025 but subsequently retired in June 2025. His departure raises questions about the program’s direction and the treatment of students involved in its operations.
On August 1, the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) announced that Mark Mead, the executive director of school safety, was cleared of wrongdoing following a third-party investigation. The investigation looked into allegations regarding Mead’s physical force used against a student during the aforementioned rally. Despite concerns being raised, the investigation found no substantiated claims against Mead, who will remain in the district in a different role.
The investigation’s findings have led to further scrutiny of BHUSD’s handling of personnel matters, especially as Carey’s leave was widely perceived by the community as retaliatory, particularly after KBEV reported on the alleged assault. Following his retirement, a significant change was made where KBEV students were prohibited from live broadcasting BHUSD Board of Education meetings, a key learning and participatory opportunity for young journalists.
In place of the student-led broadcasts, the district has created a separate YouTube channel for livestreaming, but this channel does not allow comments from viewers, effectively curbing community interaction with the content. BHUSD Board Member Russell Stuart indicated that this decision followed the transition in KBEV’s instructional leadership.
As the district seeks a new direction for the KBEV program under newly appointed instructor Kyle Newman, a filmmaker and author, they are also investing in facility renovations to modernize the KBEV studios. However, there are growing concerns among alumni and community members about the preservation of historical equipment and archived footage that constitute KBEV’s 56-year legacy. The district is working on a plan to digitize older recordings to ensure their safety.
Changes are being contemplated in KBEV’s programming, with indications that there may be a shift toward broader entertainment production, in addition to the traditional focus on news reporting. Current students have raised alarms over perceived restrictions on their reporting activities, expressing a belief that district leadership is discouraging negative journalism related to the district itself.
Parent opinions reflect significant unrest regarding the restructuring process. Anonymous sources indicate that current parents feel disregarded as their feedback has not been integrated into the changes. The Board of Education recently approved a policy aimed at increasing oversight of district-affiliated social media, establishing that personal opinions and commentary will not be permitted. This has been interpreted as another limit placed on students’ creative expression.
Many alumni have voiced their dissatisfaction with the dwindling presence of student involvement in school governance and coverage. Notable alumni like Nikkie Sedaghat and Max Schwartz expressed concern that removing student broadcasts of board meetings undermines educational opportunities and personal growth, as both credited KBEV with molding their educational experiences. Sedaghat has highlighted the importance of maintaining student-led initiatives in the program.
Carey’s departure has sparked considerable conversation regarding the treatment of faculty and students within BHUSD. He had been instrumental in solidifying KBEV’s status as the longest-running weekly live student newscast in the world and earned numerous accolades under his leadership. While the community rallied for Carey’s reinstatement after his suspension, the BHUSD has not provided specific reasons for any of the personnel actions taken against him, adding to the tensions surrounding the future of KBEV.
These developments leave many within the Beverly Hills community questioning the commitment to student-led journalism and the integrity of school governance. As the district approaches its new chapter under different leadership, the ongoing dialogue about the direction and future of the KBEV program remains pivotal to stakeholders.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Press: Mark Mead Cleared of Misconduct by BHUSD
- Wikipedia: Beverly Hills High School
- Beverly Hills Courier: BHUSD Confirms Return of KBEV Instructor
- Google Search: Beverly Hills Unified School District
- Beverly Press: Romeo Carey Retires from Beverly Hills School District
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Journalism
- Beverly Press: Students and Parents Rally for BHHS Media Director
- Google News: KBEV
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.
