Jared Gonzales Enters BHUSD Board Race With Focus on Academics, Safety and Governance

Jared Gonzales has announced his campaign for the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education, presenting his classroom experience and background in conflict resolution as qualifications for one of two seats on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Gonzales currently teaches seventh- and eighth-grade mathematics at Yavneh Hebrew Academy in West Los Angeles. He previously taught at Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy in Beverly Hills and began his career as a fifth-grade math and science teacher at a public school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, through Teach for America.

His campaign is centered on three stated priorities: advancing academic success, supporting student safety and wellness, and promoting good governance throughout the district.

"I am incredibly excited to launch my campaign for the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education," Gonzales said. "As an educator, I look forward to applying my classroom experience and commitment to student success as a member of the Board."

Gonzales said his work as a teacher has taught him the importance of setting clear expectations, building productive relationships with families and keeping student needs at the center of decisions.

If elected, he would bring the perspective of an active classroom teacher to a Board responsible for district policy, budgets, academic programs, campus safety, construction and oversight of the superintendent.

"I believe our schools are strongest when we listen to one another, work collaboratively, and keep students at the center of every decision," Gonzales said.

In addition to his classroom background, Gonzales earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Dispute Resolution from the USC Gould School of Law.

His graduate studies included mediation, negotiation, arbitration, employment law and contract drafting. His public professional profile also states that he participated in USC's mediation clinic, where he mediated small-claims disputes in court.

Gonzales said that training has strengthened his ability to address disagreements, bring people together and conduct productive discussions involving educators, parents, students and other community members.

That experience could become a central part of his campaign as BHUSD continues addressing major policy, financial and operational matters. The next Board will oversee the district's academic programs, student support services, campus modernization projects, technology policies and long-term financial commitments.

Outside the classroom, Gonzales has participated in several Beverly Hills civic and education organizations. He is a Team Beverly Hills alumnus, a member of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Beverly Hills High School PTSA.

He also served as a member of former Mayor Sharona Nazarian's Innovation Circle, a community initiative created to bring residents, business leaders and local organizations into discussions about civic issues and the city's future.

Gonzales does not currently have children enrolled in BHUSD. He has said he intends to remain in Beverly Hills for the long term and hopes to raise a family in the community.

Los Angeles County election records show that nomination papers were issued to Gonzales on July 13. As of the county's July 31 update, the public candidate list did not yet display a filing date for his nomination papers.

Two seats on the five-member Board of Education will be contested in the Nov. 3 election.