Cienfuegos Makes Case for Parent Advocacy at Packed Campaign Event

BHUSD school board candidate David Cienfuegos addressed a packed gathering of parents and children at Beverly Hills Bagel on South Beverly Drive, making the case that his work as a parent advocate offers a record voters can assess as he seeks a seat on the Board of Education.

The morning meet-and-greet focused on classroom technology, academic expectations and the role parents can play in district decisions. Board President Judy Manouchehri, who is seeking reelection, also spoke, crediting Cienfuegos with pressing the board to strengthen its technology policy and broaden its search for an elementary school principal.

"There's a difference between talking about what our schools need and doing the work to make it happen. That difference is why I'm running for school board."

Cienfuegos introduced himself as the father of three BHUSD students and described school policy as a concern that reaches directly into his own household.

"What happens in our classrooms is not an abstract issue to me. It shapes my children's lives, and it shapes your kids' lives as well."

He devoted much of his speech to classroom technology, recounting his concerns about laptops and tablets being sent home with young students. He said he attended board meetings, spoke with other parents and proposed changes to a draft policy intended to reduce device use.

According to Cienfuegos, the board postponed a vote to consider those suggestions and later adopted many of them. He credited board members for listening, while describing the process as an example of his approach to public service.

"I didn't just say our kids need less screen time. I did something about it."

Cienfuegos said teachers in his children's classrooms had announced they would no longer send home laptops and iPads at the start of the school year. He described that change as a result of parent advocacy and a receptive board.

His position, he said, is not opposition to technology itself. He wants tighter limits through eighth grade, followed by a stronger high school emphasis on artificial intelligence, coding and other advanced technology skills. He presented those ideas as priorities he would continue pursuing if elected.

Manouchehri said Cienfuegos had pushed for clearer, stronger language in the district's intentional technology policy. She told the gathering that board members asked her to incorporate his suggestions so expectations would be more consistent across classrooms.

"But again, David said, hold on, guys. We can do better."

The two speakers also discussed his participation in principal interviews through Horace Mann's Principal's Advisory Council. Cienfuegos said he served on the council for two years and chaired it during his second year.

He recalled resisting a decision when he believed the available candidates did not meet the academic expectations he wanted for Horace Mann. Manouchehri said his objections helped prompt another round of interviews, allowing the district to consider a candidate who had been unavailable for the first round.

She described his approach as respectful, courteous and professional, and said his involvement had improved decisions affecting district families.

"In my experience as a board member with David, he has brought confidence, unity, and progress to what the board has done, and on several occasions, because of David's involvement, the board has made much better decisions for the families."

Cienfuegos said his family moved to Beverly Hills for its public schools after attending private school. He argued that the district should set its ambitions nationally, while acknowledging that work remains.

"There's no reason why Beverly Hills should not be the best district, not just in the state of California, but in the United States."

He also addressed questions about his relationship with Manouchehri, saying he sought campaign advice from all five board members when he decided to run for office for the first time. He thanked Manouchehri and board member Mrs. Marcus for responding and giving him guidance.

Manouchehri closed her remarks by saying Cienfuegos was "worthy of everyone's consideration."

Cienfuegos urged attendees to check their voter registration, encourage friends and neighbors to participate and contact him with questions. He said his work on the advisory council had involved bringing parents' concerns to administrators, an approach he wants to carry into elected office.