BHUSD Approves Vision for Expanded Early Childhood Education

Beverly Hills Unified School District took a step toward expanding services for its youngest residents Tuesday, approving a resolution that sets a vision for a comprehensive early childhood center as the district assumes responsibility for the city's preschool program.

The Board of Education adopted Resolution 2026-2027-01 on Sept. 8 by a 5-0 vote, with student board member Michelle Schmidt also voting yes. Before adoption, trustees revised the language to specify programs for children from birth to 18 months and from 18 months to 3 years.

Board President Judy Manouchehri presented the resolution as a next step in the preschool's transition under the city-district Joint Powers Agreement. She described an opportunity to bring families into the BHUSD community earlier and build connections that continue through their children's school years.

"And I hope that this will develop into a flourishing program where the community can bring their children to us from day one as babies, and also it would mean that then these babies will turn into our BHUSD students."

Manouchehri discussed parent-and-me, grandparent-and-me and caregiver-and-me classes. She said families who enroll their first child outside Beverly Hills can develop friendships and connections that keep them in those other school communities.

The proposal remains in the planning and licensing stages. Dr. Dustin Seemann told the board that the district had submitted documentation to the state and was awaiting license numbers for the Horace Mann and Hawthorne preschool locations. Once those were received, he said, staff would pursue licensing for a program serving children ages 18 months to 3 years.

Seemann also reported that district staff had already provided preschool teachers with professional development in classroom management and play-based learning. He said he was working with preschool staff on a strategic plan addressing academic and social-emotional support.

Trustee Russell Stuart asked the board to clarify language that mixed specific age ranges with broader references to infants and toddlers. The final motion incorporated defined age ranges in two places in the resolution.

Stuart also asked when expansion would return for board approval. Manouchehri explained that the language allowing staff to pursue approvals where feasible was intended to let licensing work move forward before staff returned with a presentation.

Trustee Rachelle Marcus described the center as a goal discussed for years, while Trustee Sigalie Sabag emphasized the lasting friendships families can develop through programs for young children. Seemann said staff would work with the board to develop the center's full vision.