Less than 24 hours after the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board voted to display the Israeli flag at all schools and facilities in the district during Jewish Heritage Month, Superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss issued a statement reversing the decision.
“In light of heightened safety concerns around the displaying of flags on our campuses I have made the decision to take immediate action for the safety and security of our students,” Cherniss wrote in a statement sent to the BHUSD community. “Until further notice, no flags will be displayed on our campuses other than the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the state of California.”
Cherniss went on to note that the directive is in line with a board policy governing administrative discretion over board policy that states, in part, “when immediate action is necessary to avoid any risk to the safety or security of students, staff, or district property or to prevent disruption of school operations, the superintendent or designee shall have the authority to act on behalf of the district in a manner that is consistent with law and policies.”
The vote to display the Israeli flag was taken at the board’s Aug. 26 meeting. In a 3-2 vote, the board approved a resolution which states that the action would “signify support for the Jewish community.”
The resolution also includes language recognizing May as Jewish Heritage Month and emphasizing the importance of combating antisemitism. It memorializes the events of the Holocaust and Oct. 7, and states that the district will adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.
Board President Rachelle Marcus and Board Member Amanda Stern voted against the resolution, noting that they would support it if not for the included mandate to display the Israeli flag.
Stern, who is Jewish, said the language mandating the flag display is in direct opposition to a recently passed policy addressing what the board referred to as partisan materials.
“Just about two months ago, we spoke about how partisan materials—as an example, a Greek flag—would not be allowed,” she said. “We really need to look at that so there is not preferential treatment for one group over another.”
Stern added that she received emails from residents calling the resolution “wildly inappropriate,” “dangerous,” “a precarious step,” “treacherous” and a “self-inflected wound.”
Marcus, who is also Jewish, spoke about her personal experiences with antisemitism, and stated that her concerns regarding the display of the Israeli flag stemmed from questions of safety for those inside the building.
“I would pass this resolution tonight, but … I fear for the safety of the students in the school,” Marcus said. “I don’t want to put something on the front of the school that will make us targets of any kind, especially with the students in our school.”
Board Member Russell Stuart, who voted for the resolution, argued that displaying the Israeli flag is not a comment on current international affairs.
“The display of a flag during Jewish American Heritage Month is not a direct endorsement of the Israeli government,” he said. “It is not a direct endorsement of any geopolitical topic. It is a support for our Jewish students and the Jewish community.”
The resolution was last discussed at the board’s Aug. 5 meeting. Following that conversation, a subcommittee comprised of Marcus and board Vice President Judy Manouchehri convened to revise the resolution.
During public comment, residents spoke for and against the resolution. City Council Vice President John Mirisch was among those who expressed his support.
“Please pass tonight’s resolution and policy to honor Jewish American Heritage Month … this should be a no brainer for a school district that represents one of the only Jewish majority communities outside of Israel,” he said. “Education about Jewish history, including Yom HaShoah, Yom Ha’atzmaut and October 7 is critical in combating anti-Jewish racism and in allowing Jewish students to feel pride in their Jewish identity.”
Andrea Grossman, a graduate of BHUSD whose three children also attended school in the district, said that the Israeli flag does not belong on a public school.
“I believe that the State of Israel has a right to exist; of course I do,” she said. “Israel, though, is not my country. I am a Jew, but Israel is not, nor will it ever be, my country … display the flag at a synagogue, such as the one flying at my synagogue here in Beverly Hills, or fly it at a private day school, but not at a public school facility.”
In other business, the board unanimously approved the expansion of the City Greens Community Farm program, which currently operates in the district’s high school and middle school, into the elementary schools as part of a two-year pilot program.
The program utilizes hydroponic farming to teach STEM concepts as well as sustainability and health.
The board additionally approved a contract with Integrated Demolition and Remediation, Inc. not to exceed $190,000 for demolition and hazardous materials abatement at Beverly Hills High School’s KBEV studio. The studio was found to have asbestos and lead containing materials, and work will begin immediately within the studio and in adjacent offices, work spaces and storage areas.
Also at their Aug. 26 meeting, the board discussed the possibility of prohibiting teachers from tutoring students who are enrolled in their classes and significantly restricting teachers from tutoring other students in the district. Considering a possible amendment to an existing board policy, the board approved a first reading of the changes.
Under the changes, teachers could tutor students who are outside the district, as long as “no district resources, facilities, or instructional materials are used, and provided further that such tutoring does not conflict with the employee’s duties or responsibilities to the district.”
The board will consider the amendment again at its Sept. 9 meeting.
