Beverly Hills Welcomes New School Board President

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — After controversial personnel turnover, Mary Wells was unanimously elected president of the Beverly Hills Unified School District with Noah Margo as her vice president.

Wells And Margo Set Their Goals

Wells set her goals for the coming year, including improving board functionality and increasing collaboration within the board. Wells wants the board to be more transparent and work closely with the community, she said.

The board will look long-term at an early education program to help address enrollment decline, Wells said.

Wells' board will continue to face pandemic-related challenges with the protocol and safety measures necessary to keep school open, she said. Wells also committed to addressing the mental health implications of the ongoing pandemic.

"Our students, teachers, staff and families continue to endure heightened levels of stress and anxiety that must be addressed. We must find ways to lessen the impact the pandemic has had on our mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. We must review and continue to ensure that our schools and our students remain a safe learning environment, both physically and emotionally," Wells said.

Margo was sworn into his role as vice president and offered thanks to his family and coworkers. He underscored Wells' goals for the district and affirmed the board will work "diplomatically" to work through disagreement or conflict.

"The year I have seen that when we work together, we achieve even greater things ... we are a district filled with talented, passionate and engaged parents, students, teachers and community members," Wells said.

"Our Work Is Not Finished": Marcus Steps Down

The board honored outgoing president Marcus for her career-long commitment to Beverly Hills education, celebrating over 50 years of teaching and board activity. The board applauded Marcus' work advocating for Beverly Hills students amid the pandemic and her collaboration with city and other partners.

"It was an unusual year with many challenges, but also many highlights," Marcus said. She added: "As a colleague of mine once said, it takes a village. And all our accomplishments this year could not have been done without everyone's participation and help."

Marcus will stay on as a board member, where she will continue advocating for students first and foremost, she said.

"My focus within the Beverly Hills Unified School District ... was always about my students who have always been my number one consideration," Marcus said. She added: "I may be stepping down as board president, but as board member my work — our work — is not finished."

Turnover on the board

Wells filled in as vice president of the board just a month ago to replace former Vice President Tristen Walker-Shuman, who resigned in September amid a residency controversy.

Related:

• Beverly Hills School Board Elects New VP, Reviews Applications
• Beverly Hills School Board Fills Vacant Seat

The board filled her vacant seat in November with provisional board member Gabriel Helimi, who was the student board member during his senior year at Beverly Hills High School in 1999-2000.

Helimi will finish Walker-Shuman's term through November 2022 and then will run in a special election.