Beverly Hills Unified board hires Alex Chernis as superintendent; approves audits and multiple contracts

The Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve an employment agreement for Alex Chernis to serve as superintendent beginning June 1, 2025, and approved a package of district audits, technology services and construction-related contracts.

The board approved the three-year employment agreement for Chernis with a starting annual salary of $350,000 and additional monthly and annual stipends described during the reading of the contract terms before the vote. The board’s formal roll call on the motion produced a 5-0 vote in favor of the agreement.

Why this matters: The board’s action installs a permanent superintendent after a period of interim leadership and sets personnel and compensation terms that will shape senior leadership and district priorities as new facilities and programs come online later this year.

What the board approved (selected highlights) - Employment agreement: Dr. Alex Chernis, superintendent of Beverly Hills Unified School District, effective 2025-06-01; starting annual salary $350,000; fringe benefits and stipends described on the record; vote 5-0. - Acceptance of audits: The board accepted the 2023–24 Measure E and Measure BH performance audit prepared by Moss Adams LLP and the Measure E/BH financial bond audit prepared by Christy White (no exceptions reported in the financial opinion); motion seconded and passed on voice/roll call. - Technology and IT contracts: The board approved a one-year ClearPass network/appliance service to support the district’s network operations (bid/contract awarding and roll call vote in favor). Several AV and technology purchases for the Beverly Hills High School performing-arts wing were approved using cooperative purchasing agreements (Extron, Avidex, and other vendors); board voted to approve those agreements. - Construction and site contracts: The board awarded bid work for freight-elevator repairs at Beverly Hills High School and approved an amendment for environmental monitoring at Building C; the board accepted the notice of completion for the Horace Mann ornamental fence project and released retention. - Student-related settlement reported: The board’s closed-session report noted approval of a student settlement, Case No. 2025010298; the reported vote in that closed session was 4–0.

Quotes and context - Acting Superintendent Scott Hasty read the closed-session item into the public record: "Yes, we did approve a settlement agreement for a student. Case number is 2025010298 and the vote was 4 to 0." This was reported under the required closed-session disclosure at the start of the meeting. - During the public comment period, several speakers welcomed the selection of Dr. Chernis and described their hopes for district unity and programmatic innovation. Catherine Warren, president of the Beverly Hills Educators Association, urged a signed labor contract by June 1 and stressed the need for improved compensation and benefits for teachers.

What the agreement with Alex Chernis includes (as read on the record before the vote) - Term: three years, beginning June 1, 2025 (Education Code allows a maximum four-year superintendent contract). - Salary: starting annual salary of $350,000. - Benefits: "The superintendent shall receive all fringe benefits, vacation, sick leave, and holidays offered to other senior district administrators..." (read aloud during the meeting), plus a monthly administrative stipend and an annual doctoral stipend as disclosed before the vote.

Next steps and implementation - Chernis is scheduled to begin June 1, 2025. The board and district staff said they will work with him on transition planning and next-year priorities including the opening of the performing-arts wing and athletic projects. Several approved contracts put vendors or services into place so work and monitoring can proceed this spring and summer.

Votes at a glance (selected formal actions recorded in the meeting minutes) - Student settlement (closed session): approved; Case No. 2025010298; reported vote 4–0. - Employment agreement: Alex Chernis, superintendent, effective 2025-06-01; starting salary $350,000; vote 5–0. - Accept performance and financial audits (Measure E and BH): accepted; vote recorded in favor. - ClearPass network service and related IT contracts: approved; vote recorded in favor. - AV, furniture, and theater-related procurements (multiple contracts including Extron, Avidex, Pivot Interiors): approved; votes recorded in favor. - Freight-elevator repairs at Beverly Hills High School (award of bid): approved; vote recorded in favor. - KMC Kids Managing Conflict (peer-mediation pilot at the high school): approved (see separate article for the discussion); motion carried. - Notice of completion: Horace Mann ornamental fence and pedestrian gate; accepted.

What the board did not approve or table at this meeting - A proposed iPad purchase for El Rodeo Elementary was discussed extensively and the motion to purchase was withdrawn so staff could supply additional usage and inventory details (see separate coverage).

Speakers (selected; public and officials quoted in this article) - Alex Chernis — Incoming Superintendent (accepted appointment and addressed the board during the meeting). - Scott Hasty — Acting Superintendent (read closed-session action into the record and participated in transition discussion). - Trustee Marcus — Board president (participated and voted; attended virtually under AB 2449). - Trustee Stewart — Board member (spoke in favor of hiring Chernis and participated in votes). - Trustee Stern — Board member (participated in votes and questions). - Trustee Sabag — Board member (participated in votes and questions). - Catherine Warren — President, Beverly Hills Educators Association (public comment — asked for a contract by June 1).

Provenance - topicintro: transcript block starting 801.58496 — "Yes, we did approve a settlement agreement for a student. Case number is 2025010298 and the vote was 4 to 0." (evidence for closed-session report). {"block_id":"s=801.58496","local_start":0,"local_end":79,"evidence_excerpt":"Yes, we did approve a settlement agreement for a student. Case number is 2025010298 and the vote was 4 to 0.","tc_start":"00:13:21","tc_end":"00:14:41","reason_code":"topicintro"} - topfinish: transcript block starting 3836.72 — statement by Alex Chernis closing his remarks and the public appointment vote recorded at 3819–3820 timecodes: {"block_id":"s=3836.72","local_start":0,"local_end":150,"evidence_excerpt":"And I am a yes 5 0. Thank you everyone. And Doctor. Cherness I'd like to welcome you to say a few words... It's an honor to serve as your BHUSD superintendent of schools. Thank you.","tc_start":"00:63:56","tc_end":"01:04:45","reason_code":"topicfinish"}

Topics: superintendent; audits; contracts; technology; facilities; budget