Meet David Cienfuegos, Candidate For BHUSD Board

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — David Cienfuegos is vying to be elected to the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education.

Judith Manouchehri is the only incumbent running in a five-way race for two seats in the Nov. 3 general election. She's facing a challenge from Jared Gonzales, Jackie R. Kruger, Kimberly Lifschitz and Cienfuegos.

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Incumbent Rachelle Marcus is not seeking reelection.

Learn more about Cienfuegos' goals for BHUSD:

What is your educational background?

I received my bachelor's degree from California State University, Los Angeles, a law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law, and received a graduate degree from Harvard University.

What is your professional background?

I am a trial attorney and business executive with more than 20 years of experience in complex litigation, trial advocacy, real estate, distressed debt, and investment management. My background includes corporate governance, deal structuring, and organizational leadership, along with implementing generative AI, legal technology, and workflow automation to improve efficiency in professional services

Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?

No.

What are the top three issues facing BHUSD right now?

1. Academic excellence and readiness for the future. Every student needs a strong foundation in reading, writing, mathematics, and critical thinking.

2. Fiscal responsibility and accountability. We must align spending with student needs, evaluate whether programs deliver results, and make budget decisions understandable to parents.

3. Student safety, well-being, and connection. Students need safe campuses where they feel welcome and engaged. That means addressing bullying, strengthening emergency preparedness, and expanding sports, arts, clubs, and opportunities for face-to-face friendships. I want our schools to be places where every child can learn, participate, and belong.

If you had to identify one area where BHUSD should invest more and one area where it could spend less, what would they be and why?

Invest more in direct academic support, especially after-school tutoring and small-group instruction. Students should have access to help when they struggle and enrichment when they are ready to advance. Investing in qualified educators and targeted instruction would support families and help more students reach their potential.

Spend less on unnecessary technology and underused software subscriptions. I would review usage, costs, and educational value before renewing contracts or replacing devices. Programs that duplicate existing resources or fail to demonstrate value should be reduced or eliminated, while preserving essential systems, accessibility tools, and advanced high school technology instruction.

My priority is to direct more of our resources toward teachers, students, and measurable learning outcomes.

BHUSD has reported strong recent gains in student achievement. What do you believe is the district's biggest remaining academic weakness or unmet student need, and what should the board do about it?

I believe the biggest unmet need is ensuring that every student has access to timely, individualized academic support. Strong districtwide results deserve recognition, but averages do not tell us whether individual students are struggling or whether advanced learners are being sufficiently challenged.

The board should examine progress by grade, subject, and student group, then prioritize after-school tutoring, small-group instruction, and enrichment where the evidence shows a need. Families should receive clear information about their child's progress and available support, and teachers need time and resources to respond effectively.

My priority would be to make high-quality academic help available through our schools so students' opportunities do not depend on whether their parents can afford private tutoring. The board should set measurable goals and regularly evaluate whether that support is helping students improve.

Why are you a better choice than your opponents?

I believe voters should evaluate candidates by their experience, judgment, and record of delivering results.

Judy Manouchehri has done great work on the board, and I believe she deserves reelection. She has been receptive to ideas for improving our district and willing to listen and act.

As for the other candidates, I trust voters to look beyond polished campaign messaging and consider each candidate's full record, judgment, and conduct. Character is revealed by what we do, and whether we take responsibility when it matters.

I bring more than 20 years of experience as a trial attorney and business executive, along with the personal investment of having three children in BHUSD. I know how to scrutinize budgets, evaluate evidence, ask difficult questions, and hold people accountable.

I have also demonstrated follow-through by being a the chair of PAC at Horace Mann, attending board meetings, proposing stronger language for the district's technology policy, and seeing nearly all of my recommendations adopted.

My priorities are strong academics, expanded tutoring, support for excellent teachers, responsible spending, safe campuses, and meaningful opportunities in sports, arts, internships, and advanced technology education. I trust voters to assess my record and decide whether that is the leadership they want.

Candidates' responses were lightly edited for style and clarity.