Meet Kimberly Lifschitz, Candidate For BHUSD Board

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Kimberly Lifschitz, 39, 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, Lifschitz and David Cienfuegos.

Incumbent Rachelle Marcus is not seeking reelection.

Learn more about Lifschitz's goals for BHUSD:

What is your educational background?

I have a bachelor of arts in political science from Sacred Heart University in my hometown of Fairfield, Connecticut. While at SHU, I completed coursework in education and educational psychology, as well as a student teaching internship. I also hold a paralegal certificate from UCLA's Paralegal Training Program, where I finished at the top of my class.

What is your professional background?

My first real professional experience was five years as a preschool teacher. I then became an executive assistant, legal assistant and finally a paralegal. Throughout my career, I've worked in litigation, entertainment, intellectual property, and non-profits. In 2020, I left my position as a corporate paralegal to care full-time for my son, who has multiple disabilities due to a rare genetic condition. Since then, I've dedicated my time to advocating for educational opportunities for all children.

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

No.

What are the top three issues facing BHUSD right now?

1. Declining rankings, enrollment, and reputation. BHUSD must be laser-focused on giving students the tools they need to succeed academically while ensuring they feel safe, supported, and connected at school. This requires a holistic, "whole" student approach instead of piecemeal solutions and finger-pointing.

2. A lack of responsible governance: Board trustees must lead by example: Fiscally, legally, and operationally. Right now, the district suffers from a failure to plan ahead, retain quality teachers, staff, and administrators, follow the law, and conduct district business openly and transparently.

3. A lack of trust between the board/district and the community: The board must treat the community as allies, not the opposition. Personal attacks on parents and teachers, using district resources for public intimidation, and making public comment procedures onerous and inaccessible are just a few examples of conduct that is beneath us as a district and as a community. It’s not fair to expect better behavior from our children than we do from the leaders meant to serve as their role models.

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?

BHUSD should invest more in things, big and small, that will improve the day-to-day quality of life for students, families, teachers, and staff. Adding shade structures, misters, and additional greenery to campuses will make school a more hospitable place to be during heat waves. Sufficient administrative staffing at the district office to handle email inquiries, program sign-ups, and payment distribution will ensure the district runs smoothly for everyone and eliminate frustrating and costly lags in response time.

BHUSD could (and should) spend less on reactive, post-hoc fixes to easily avoidable situations. That includes costly administrative proceedings and settlements for special education cases; legal fees to defend lawsuits caused by board negligence, intransigence, and refusal to follow the law; and money spent on expensive trainings and other measures required by the California Department of Education in response to parent complaints.

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?

The biggest remaining unmet need, according to my own experiences and those shared with me by countless voters, is the need to address rampant and unchecked bullying and other forms of destructive behavior. Discipline is applied rarely and inconsistently, and students have no expectation that anyone will be held accountable for harmful behavior. This is especially true for students (and even teachers) of color, religious minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and students with disabilities. Bullying not only harms students and staff directly, but it also drags down our enrollment, graduation rates, and daily attendance.

As to what the board should do about it, they could start with acknowledging the problem. Continued educational programs and awareness campaigns are of course helpful, but we first have to say, "This is wrong."

Why are you a better choice than your opponents?

I believe I'm an excellent choice for a school board seat for many reasons. I wouldn't have entered the race if I didn't think so. However, what sets me apart from several of my opponents in this election is a willingness to see every student, parent, teacher, and staff member in this district as a human being, worthy of respect — not just those with my signs in their yard. I am honest and transparent about my motives, and I live my values.

An elected official, especially a school board member, should never intentionally target a student, parent, or teacher for having the temerity to run for office or to advocate for their own beliefs.

Harming people is wrong. Doing so as an elected official, candidate, or leader of any kind is disqualifying.

Candidates' responses were lightly edited for style and clarity.