BHUSD Vision Redefined with New Leadership at the Helm

I sent emails. I requested meetings. I questioned decisions, not out of criticism, but out of care for our children and a belief in what this district should be capable of delivering. For a long time, it felt as though those concerns were acknowledged, but not meaningfully acted upon.

That began to change when Judy Manouchehri stepped forward and when Russell Stuart and Sigalie Sabag were sworn in on December 17, 2024.

What set Judy apart was not rhetoric, but responsiveness. She listened, genuinely, to parents and stakeholders. She sought feedback, asked hard questions, welcomed accountability, and most importantly, implemented changes based on what she heard. Under her leadership, community input was no longer something to manage or deflect, but something to act on.

The progress we are seeing today did not happen by accident. It happened because feedback turned into follow-through, and concerns turned into concrete action.

As President, Judy opened her remarks by sharing her deep personal connection to BHUSD, noting that serving as a Trustee “has been and continues to be an honor of my lifetime.” She recalled attending her first Board meeting more than 30 years ago as a Horace Mann student advocating for the naming of the Ron Brown Auditorium, and standing before the Board today, she said, still brings “the same sense of butterflies and excitement.”

As a BHUSD alumna and mother of three district students, President Manouchehri articulated the principle guiding her leadership:

“You can love BHUSD, and expect more from BHUSD, at the same time.”

That expectation has driven a period of recalibration and progress. She emphasized that change requires courage, stating plainly that “change is never easy, yet progress demands courage.”

Tough, Necessary Decisions

With the new leadership at the helm the Board has made tough but necessary decisions: appointing a new Superintendent, welcoming new principals and assistant principals with proven records of results, and right-sizing district headcount to reduce top-heavy administration. These were not easy choices, but they were essential to restoring accountability, refocusing resources on classrooms, and ensuring that student outcomes, not bureaucracy, remain the district’s top priority.

Among the most consequential actions taken was a renewed focus on fiduciary responsibility, including the reduction of over $1.3 million annually in administrative costs, allowing the Board to sharpen oversight and better align spending with student needs.

President Manouchehri highlighted the return of Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, praising his deep BHUSD roots and record of academic and fiscal leadership, along with the onboarding of new school leaders whose experience and fresh perspectives are shaping the district’s trajectory toward its rightful position of excellence.

Rebuilding Trust Through Action

Instructional time and student support emerged as clear priorities. The district expanded learning minutes for TK and Kindergarten students, reduced early dismissals, launched free after-school math and English tutoring taught by BHUSD teachers, and expanded enrichment offerings, reinforcing a No Student Left Behind approach.

Community voices echoed these themes. Dr. Michelle Yasharpour, speaking as a parent and advocate, reflected on a time when trust in the district had begun to erode, and emphasized that what restored confidence was not words, but action. She credited President Manouchehri with listening, asking hard questions, and making difficult decisions to remove long-standing barriers that had held the district back.

Michelle highlighted tangible improvements already underway, smarter partnerships, the removal of construction bottlenecks, and expanded college counseling services that better reflect the realities students face today. She emphasized that President Manouchehri leads not only as a Board member, but as a mother, bringing integrity and urgency to every decision by advocating for all students with the same care she gives her own.

Other parents praised the board's swift action in addressing the things ignored for far too long – from improving the cafeteria food, ordering new uniforms for the team, and rolling out tutoring.

Looking Ahead

Looking toward the future, President Manouchehri made it clear that the work is far from complete:

“We didn’t come this far, to only come this far.”

She framed 2026 as a year focused not on returning to normal, but on defining a new normal, positioning BHUSD as a boutique district delivering academic excellence, innovation, and real-world opportunities for all students.

The evening concluded with a shared message of clarity and momentum: BHUSD is moving forward with purpose and accountability, a vision redefined with new leadership at the helm, and a renewed commitment to students, families, and the broader Beverly Hills community.

Watch the full installation ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/live/D1JrWlzlPJI