BHUSD Appoints Colby Gilardian as New Public Information Officer

The July 22, 20205 Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) board meeting opened with a celebration that blended professional recognition with personal admiration. Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss introduced Colby Gilardian as the district’s new Public Information Officer (PIO), commending his extraordinary contributions despite balancing the role with his ongoing studies at the University of Southern California.

“He's not just a great employee, but a great example to our students. The world is changing and students are now being able to take on greater responsibility in the professional world at a younger and younger age. Colby is a great example of that and I could not be more proud to hire him as our new PIO.”

Dr. Cherniss emphasized that Gilardian’s work ethic extended well beyond regular hours, noting he often saw Gilardian’s car outside the district office at night and on weekends. He described Gilardian’s impact on district communications as “integral” to his own transition into the superintendent role.

Gilardian, a BHUSD alum who attended El Rodeo Elementary, Beverly Vista Middle School, and graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 2024, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to give back to the district that shaped him.

“This district gave me everything, teachers who believed in me, opportunities that changed my life, and a community that always showed up. To now be in a position to give back, to serve the district that raised me, is something I will never take for granted.”

Board members echoed the superintendent’s praise, highlighting Gilardian’s professionalism, creativity, and unwavering dedication to student-centered communication. Trustee Russell Stuart spoke candidly about Gilardian’s drive, saying his desire to “win” and take pride in the process of achieving success set him apart from others his age.

“The amount of work that not only do we put on you, but you put on yourself is unprecedented. The one thing that I can say that is your greatest quality is you want to win. The work gets you excited just as much as the success from the work does, and that is a trait that is unheard of nowadays.”

Other trustees described Gilardian as embodying the district’s mission. They applauded his ability to spotlight student achievements, foster alumni connections, and maintain a high level of engagement with the community.

BHUSD’s communications team also showcased Gilardian’s long list of accomplishments during his time as a student leader and communications specialist, including producing over 200 student-led videos, creating the “Excellence in Action” social media series, and expanding the district’s reach through multimedia projects with city partners and local organizations.

Board President Rachelle Marcus summed up the sentiment shared by all:

“Since I've been on the board, I've always used the saying to remind everyone, you can love BHUSD but want BHUSD to be better at the same time. And I don't think anybody exemplifies that more than you do.”

His official appointment as PIO signals both recognition of his past contributions and confidence in his vision for the district’s communications future.