News Summary
At the recent BHUSD Board meeting, community members and parents voiced concerns about the One Beverly Hills development’s impact on El Rodeo Elementary School. With demolition and construction activities nearby, air quality monitors have been installed to ensure student safety. Additionally, proposals for noise reduction measures and tree plantings around the school were discussed. Concerns about the impact on student enrollment and federal special education funding were also highlighted, alongside calls for addressing racism within the district.
Beverly Hills, California – Representatives from the $10 billion One Beverly Hills development attended the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board meeting on October 21 to address community concerns regarding the construction’s impact on El Rodeo Elementary School. Parents and community members expressed worries about the potential effects of demolition, excavation, and ongoing construction in close proximity to the school.
The One Beverly Hills development site is located at the intersection of Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards, where significant construction activity is underway. Senior Vice President of Development at Cain International, Lauren Eckhart Smith, confirmed the completion of the demolition phase, which involved the removal of two buildings associated with the Beverly Hilton to create space for new botanical gardens. In response to construction-related concerns, air quality monitors have been installed at El Rodeo Elementary to track air quality every five minutes. The monitors alert school staff through a phone app if dust levels exceed a predetermined threshold, ensuring a proactive approach to maintaining a safe environment for students.
As of the meeting, air quality measurements had not triggered any alarms, but should an alarm occur, construction work would cease and an investigation would take place. Notifications regarding the situation would be sent to both the school principal and city officials. Smith emphasized that no hazardous materials were found in the demolished buildings, and any such materials would have been removed prior to the demolition.
In response to the community’s requests, BHUSD Board Vice President Judy Manouchehri suggested that the developer plant “very tall trees” around the school to enhance privacy. Smith responded positively to this proposal and committed to evaluating options for the tree planting initiative. Additionally, a 16’8″ sound wall is set to be erected in the coming weeks to reduce noise from construction activities, addressing another concern raised by parents and school officials.
Concerns about the construction’s potential effects on student enrollment at El Rodeo Elementary were voiced by Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, highlighting fears that disturbances might impact the school’s ability to attract and retain students. This sentiment was echoed by Board Member Dr. Amanda Stern, who noted the city’s significant financial investment of over $500 million in bonds allocated for the development project, emphasizing the importance of balancing community needs with ongoing construction.
During the public comment section of the meeting, residents articulated their concerns regarding potential cuts to federal special education funding and urged the board to prioritize the protection of these essential services. Parents, including Kimberly Lifschitz, who has a child with special needs, underscored the significance of maintaining special education resources amid construction. Additionally, complaints about instances of racism within the district were raised, with calls for the BHUSD Board to adopt a resolution expressly addressing anti-Black and anti-Hispanic sentiments.
Concerns were further amplified by testimonies detailing discomfort experienced by students stemming from inappropriate comments made by peers regarding social issues, including police brutality and the murder of George Floyd. Community members continue to seek resolutions that emphasize the need for initiatives to combat racism within the district, indicating an ongoing commitment to achieving a more inclusive and supportive school environment for all students.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: One Beverly Hills Addresses Concerns About El Rodeo Elementary School
- Beverly Press: Saks Project Moves to Beverly Hills City Council
- Canyon News: Construction on N Santa Monica Blvd
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Special Education
- KTLA: Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills Road Closure
- Google Search: El Rodeo Elementary School Beverly Hills
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.
