Beverly Hills Unified board rejects $2,500 governance workshop, approves $15,000 communications retainer after debate

The Beverly Hills Unified School District board on March 4 declined to approve a one-day governance workshop agreement and approved a reduced $15,000 communications retainer after extended discussion about the district's messaging and transparency.

Board members voted against final approval of a proposed one-day governance workshop with USC professor Maria Ott, a $2,500 engagement described by staff as a one-day board governance session. The motion to approve the Ott agreement failed for lack of a majority after a roll call; the board later approved a modified, lower-cost engagement with Corridor Creative Legal LLC for communications services on a shorter-term basis.

Board members described two central concerns during debate: whether an outside facilitator was immediately necessary while the board handles ongoing operational work, and whether any communications firm would provide candid, transparent responses rather than merely "make everything look pretty." Acting Superintendent Dr. Hastie described the Ott workshop as a standard governance workshop for newly seated boards and said approving the contract would allow the district to encumber funds and secure the presenter on short notice.

"I would abstain because I just pull it to learn more about it," said a board member during roll call discussion, explaining a desire for additional information before committing. Another board member urged postponing the workshop until more pressing operational items were addressed.

The board also considered a proposal to contract Corridor Creative for communications support at an original amount of $25,000. During discussion, board members and staff described immediate needs for media response and a more coherent external communications strategy. Several board members said they wanted a stronger, more transparent approach and recommended an initial, limited contract as a testing period.

After discussion the motion and second were withdrawn and refiled with an amended not-to-exceed amount of $15,000; the amended agreement was approved by roll call. Board members characterized the amended amount as a short-term retainer to address immediate communications needs and to assess whether the firm could align with the district’s voice before considering a longer contract.

A separate agreement with consultant Vivian Hechian (identification as listed on the agenda) was not considered for a vote due to lack of a sustained second; the motion to approve was withdrawn or not advanced and no final action occurred on that item.

Votes at a glance: - Agreement with Maria Ott (one-day governance workshop, $2,500): motion failed (no majority on roll call). No effective contract entered. - Agreement with Corridor Creative Legal LLC (communications services): approved after amendment to a not-to-exceed $15,000 retainer (board instructed administration to proceed under the revised terms). - Agreement with Vivian Hechian (consulting): not advanced for lack of a second; no vote taken. - Resolution 2024-2025-013 (release from temporary certificated positions): approved by roll call, 5-0. - Resolution 2024-2025-014 (release from temporary certificated administrative position): approved by roll call, 5-0.

Board members who spoke during the consent/contract discussion urged both caution on spending and the need for improved external communications. "We do need a company. And second of all, I agree with — I don't want somebody or a company that's just going to make everything look pretty. I want us to be transparent. I want us to be real," a board member said during the discussion of Corridor Creative.

The meeting concluded its open session and adjourned to closed session.

Clarifying details from the meeting record: the Maria Ott engagement was described as a single-day board governance workshop at a $2,500 fee; the original Corridor Creative proposal was for $25,000 and was amended on the floor to $15,000 before approval; the resolution items concerning temporary certificated notices were described by staff as annual, procedural actions that must be completed prior to March 15 under the requirement cited in the meeting (referred to in the transcript as "ETCO"), and staff noted any notices can be rescinded before the fiscal year-end if district staffing needs change.

Ending: The board moved into closed session after completing the open-session agenda and votes.