My Recommendations for Beverly Hills School Board

There are seven candidates running for a seat on the Beverly Hills Unified School District Governing Board. Of those, four are highly qualified. Noah Margo, for his institutional knowledge, proven track record, education and construction background. Mary Wells, for her business, finance, and construction background. Frank Chechel, for his business, finance and risk management background. Dr. Amanda Stern, for her special education and psychology background. Although, we can only vote for three candidates, each one of these candidates would bring experience, compassion, and leadership to our school district.

In a recent editorial, Marilyn Gallup and Susan Mishler could not comprehend why I object to sitting board members Isabel Hacker, Mel Spitz, and Rachelle Marcus endorsing school board candidates. When sitting elected officials coax the electorate in favor of their candidates, voters should question their motives. By elevating certain candidates, the current board members are effectively putting their thumb on the scales of democracy and giving their candidates an advantage. In this election, Hacker, Spitz, and Marcus should be reminded that the California School Board Association (CSBA) does not endorse school board candidates for elected office in any local races. They should not either.

Gallup and Mishler also misrepresented my involvement in past school board elections. I never have accepted an endorsement from any local sitting school board member. During the 2015 and 2018 school board races, while I was a sitting board member, I did not endorse any candidate. In fact, in 2015 it was Gallop who supported Lewis Hall’s campaign and actively crusaded against Paysinger.

For the record, I have endorsed Mr. Margo in this election. Despite Gallup and Mishler’s distortions, this is the first time that I have ever endorsed a school board candidate. My reason is simple, for the first time in over 15 years I am not holding an elected or appointed position in PTA leadership, on the executive board of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation, the Citizens’ Oversight Committee, or School Board. I am truly grateful for the many years of unfettered support from this community. As William Shakespeare wrote, “no legacy is so rich as honesty.”