BHUSD Board Member Stern Accused of Brown Act Violations

The issue surfaced during open session when Board Vice President Sigalie Sabag directly addressed what she described as repeated Brown Act violations tied to private communications surrounding the vice presidency selection.

“We’re not supposed to be influenced by outside members, including our spouses,” Sabag stated. “The open session is for a reason, because it’s transparent, meaning we never spoke about it before”

Sabag then alleged that Dr. Stern had privately contacted trustees prior to the December 16 organizational meeting, where the vice presidency was expected to be decided in open session.

“She violates the Brown Act over and over and nobody says anything,” Sabag said. “So when you called me on Friday before the organizational meeting and you discussed the vice presidency…”

Sabag publicly questioned Trustee Rachelle Marcus about whether she had been contacted by Dr. Stern prior to the vote.

“Yes, I did,” Marcus replied, confirming that Dr. Stern had spoken to her about the vice presidency before the meeting

Sabag responded bluntly, “She spoke to Mrs. Marcus and she spoke to me. That’s already in violation of the Brown Act”

Trustee Russell Stuart later confirmed he had also been contacted in advance, adding a further layer of concern by disclosing that Dr. Stern’s spouse had raised the issue directly with him.

“During that meeting at my office, she asked me directly if I was going to vote for Mandy,” Stuart said. “I told her that I was not comfortable with the question”

Stuart went on to explain that following that interaction, he received an email from Dr. Stern expressing displeasure, which led to a direct conversation between them about the vote.

“I believe I called her to reference the email… and then the discussion happened… about the vote for her”

Sabag also described what she characterized as a premature and improper assumption by Dr. Stern and Marcus that the vice presidency had already been decided, despite no formal vote taking place.

“Mrs. Marcus congratulated her after Mrs. Manouchehri speech and Dr. Stern said, ‘Thank you, I am happy to accept the vice presidency,’”

Sabag noted that no official vote had occurred at that point, and said the moment raised immediate red flags about the process.

The revelations came amid public comments and visible support for Dr. Stern at the meeting, which Sabag suggested were the result of private outreach rather than transparent governance.

“Before you start coming here and accusing, you need to see the whole picture,” Sabag said, addressing supporters who spoke in Stern’s defense

She emphasized that governance decisions must be made openly and without private lobbying among board members.

California’s Brown Act prohibits a majority of board members from engaging in private discussions or serial communications regarding matters within the board’s jurisdiction outside of noticed public meetings. While legal determinations are made by courts, multiple trustees confirming direct pre-vote communications, including involvement by a trustee’s spouse, places the district in precarious territory.