One of the board’s first major actions was sweeping administrative reform. The district appointed a new superintendent, Dr. Alex Cherniss, and three new principals, including Dr. Steven J. Suttle at Horace Mann Elementary and Kim D’Aloisio at El Rodeo Elementary, replacing long-standing leadership at three of the district’s four schools. These appointments were part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at eliminating inefficiencies and revitalizing district leadership with fresh, forward-looking perspectives.
To strengthen governance and accountability, the board also reassigned liaison roles across key operational areas: finance, wellness, city relations, safety, and more, demonstrating a strategic, hands-on approach to advancing district-wide priorities.
Community Response: Mixed Reactions and a Stalled Recall
Not everyone embraced the changes. In the weeks following the board’s reorganization, recall petitions were filed targeting Sabag and Stuart. The petitions cited alleged “lack of transparency,” “questionable decision-making,” and the removal of key administrators.
The recall effort was reportedly supported by former board members Noah Margo, a known associate of former Superintendent Michael Bregy, and Tristen Shuman, the former BHUSD Board of Trustees Vice President, who resigned from the board following public questions surrounding her residency status. While their involvement was never formally confirmed, their names were frequently mentioned in community discussions and Shuman was directly involved in group chats associated with the recall.
A community meeting held in March 2025 between board members and concerned parents brought these grievances into the public sphere. However, the recall effort ultimately lost momentum, hampered by procedural errors and what some characterized as misleading claims.
Despite early opposition, many in the community view the leadership transition as a long-overdue course correction. With concerns over declining test scores, delayed construction projects, rising legal costs, student behavioral challenges, and a lack of academic innovation, the board’s current power balance reflects a growing desire for transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
Whether welcomed as long-awaited reform or met with skepticism, the board’s early actions have already reshaped the district’s trajectory. Its renewed emphasis on operational discipline, educational rigor, and community inclusion signals a clear break from prior practices, and an urgent push for lasting results.
Key Developments Already Underway
- Leadership Reimagined
A new superintendent and principal team have been charged with aligning school operations to support higher academic standards and campus accountability. - Emphasis on Fiscal Accountability
Bringing a private-sector lens, the board has prioritized efficient, technology-driven systems to improve financial oversight and reduce waste across district operations. - Stakeholder Engagement
By assigning targeted liaison roles, the board has made strides toward increasing transparency and strengthening partnerships with parents, educators, and city officials. - Corporate Partnerships
BHUSD recently entered a five-year agreement with Nike and BSN Sports to provide student-athletes and school groups with discounted premium apparel through a streamlined ordering platform, signaling a long-term investment in school spirit and athletic excellence. - Curriculum Oversight
A new resolution spearheaded by Sigalie Sabag and passed unanimously (5,0) expands board oversight of instructional materials, highlighting a renewed focus on academic content and curricular alignment.
A Brighter Horizon
“The 2025-26 school year will be unlike any in our district’s recent history,” stated Dr. Alex Cherniss, BHUSD’s new superintendent. “We’re launching the district’s first-ever Dual Language Academy, beginning with kindergarten and first grade in a Spanish immersion model. Students will also benefit from brand-new athletic infrastructure, including regulation-size soccer and football fields, covered courts for basketball and volleyball, and the opening of the long-awaited Performing Arts Wing, including Peters Auditorium, new tennis courts, and an upgraded softball field. The iconic Front Lawn will follow soon after.”
Additional Programs in the Pipeline
- Revamped College Counseling Center: Initiated by Judith Manouchehri, the high school’s new model includes three additional seasoned advisors working with students as early as ninth grade to build individualized academic and college-prep pathways.
- Modernized Media Center: Plans are underway to expand KBEV, the high school’s student media platform, along with a broader investment in media programming and digital resources.
- Performing Arts Enhancements: The Salter Family Theater, KL Peters Auditorium, and multiple instructional spaces, including dance, choral, and instrumental rooms, are being fully modernized to support the district’s growing arts programs.
- Expanded TK and Kindergarten Yards at El Rodeo: Outdoor space improvements are being made to accommodate increasing enrollment in early education.
- Academic Intervention: Enhanced tutoring and targeted support will be provided for elementary students performing below or just at grade-level benchmarks.
- Curriculum Modernization: Educational materials and assessments are being updated to align with current state standards and to improve student readiness for statewide testing, with $1 Million of new funds allocated to a new math curriculum. TK,K instructional minutes have been substantially expanded, while many early dismissal days have been cut.
With this new leadership wave rooted in private-sector discipline, public accountability, and an ambitious reform agenda, BHUSD is poised for a new era of transformation. As the 2025-26 school year unfolds, stakeholders across the community will be watching closely, tracking not just promises, but progress.
Ultimately, the success of these efforts will be measured not by press releases or recall petitions, but by real, measurable gains in student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and educational equity across Beverly Hills.
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