Manouchehri Launches Re-Election Bid on Record and Future

Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education President Judy Manouchehri formally launched her re-election campaign Sunday, asking supporters for another four years while framing her first term around a simple theme: "Promises made, promises kept."

Manouchehri was introduced by former BHUSD Superintendent Steve Kessler, a longtime Beverly Hills educator who first knew her as a student. BHUSD Board President Judy Manouchehri with former BHUSD Superintendent Steve Kessler, who introduced and endorsed Manouchehri at her re-election campaign launch.

Kessler recalled watching a young Manouchehri, then a student leader, personally seek out classmates who were standing outside a school dance because they felt uncomfortable attending, bring them inside and connect them with friends she had already arranged to welcome them. "The fact that she did this taught me as a teacher," Kessler said, recalling that he drove home that night thinking, "This is why I went into education." Turning to her service on the Board, Kessler told the crowd that "everything that Judy does is only for the betterment of our school district."

Taking the stage in front of hundreds in attendance, Manouchehri reflected on her own history in Beverly Hills schools, first as a student and student body leader, and today as a BHUSD parent and Board President. She returned to the standard she said motivated her first campaign four years ago and remains central to her bid for a second term.

"We should expect excellence from BHUSD. Not hope for it, not talk about it, expect it."

Manouchehri told supporters that this time she could point not only to the promises of her first campaign, but to what she described as a measurable record of delivering on them. She cited recent gains in English, mathematics and science, increased four-year college applications and district performance measures meeting state standards. Manouchehri also highlighted expanded college counseling, high-impact tutoring, dual-language programming, additional instructional time for younger students and expanded athletics and music opportunities.

She placed particular emphasis on three policies she introduced that received unanimous Board approval: restrictions on student cell phone use, a closed-campus policy designed in part to prepare schools for Metro's arrival, and BHUSD's intentional technology and artificial intelligence policy.

"Leadership is about building consensus, turning an idea into action."

Manouchehri also pointed to visible changes at Beverly Hills High School, including the reopening of the front lawn, six new tennis courts, the softball field, Peters Auditorium, the Salter Family Theater and new performing arts spaces, as well as a regulation-sized athletic field at Beverly Vista Middle School.

Her re-election platform shifts from what has been completed to what she wants BHUSD to pursue next.

"I'm not running for reelection because I'm satisfied. I'm running because we didn't come this far just to come this far."

Manouchehri outlined four major priorities: making BHUSD "Metro ready," continuing academic improvement, expanding career pathways and completing the modernization of Beverly Hills High School.

Her proposed career programs include a law, business and real estate pathway; construction and skilled trades; and a sports and entertainment pathway connecting students with professionals in industries closely associated with Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.

She also proposed developing the city's preschool program into a broader early childhood education center offering programming beginning in infancy, along with classes and enrichment opportunities for parents, grandparents and young children.

"Imagine a place where the BHUSD journey doesn't begin at kindergarten. It begins from day one."

Closing her campaign launch, Manouchehri returned to the message that defined the speech, arguing that the district's recent progress should serve as the foundation for what comes next.

"Let's pursue excellence, without apology, from day one to graduation. Promises made, promises kept, and our best is yet to come."