Schools
BHUSD Board of Ed Election Still On
Though one candidate has withdrawn from the race, BHUSD must hold the school board election to be compliant with California law. The election will cost the district $100,000.
California law mandates that Beverly Hills holds an election Nov. 8 for three Board of Education seats, despite the fact that one of the four candidates of the race this week.
Parking and Recreation Commissioner Andy Licht announced Sept. 21 that he is no longer seeking a school board seat. However, California Election code 1510 states, “No candidate shall withdraw his or her declaration of candidacy after 5 p.m. on the 88th day prior to the general district election.”
The 88th day this year was Aug. 12, which means Licht’s name will remain on the ballot along with the three other candidates: incumbent , El Rodeo parent and former Beverly Hills High School parent Lewis Hall.
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The election will cost the Beverly Hills Unified School District about $100,000, according to Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Alex Cherniss. The BHUSD and the Los Angeles County Election Administration worked together to estimate the cost.
Because Licht’s name remains on the ballot, he could be elected to the board if he is one of the top three recipients of votes in November. But Licht has told Patch that he has no plans to campaign further for the seat and that if elected he would resign.
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Upon his resignation if elected, the board majority would appoint a successor for a two-year term until the next school board election. Board members who are directly elected serve for four years.
Per election rules, write-in candidates may join the race. A write-in candidate would have to file papers with the Los Angles County Registrar in order to be recognized as a winner.
According to the Los Angeles County Registrar’s office website, write-in candidates have until 5 p.m. on Oct. 25—two weeks before the Nov. 8 election—to file a statement of write-in candidacy. A name written on a ballot will not be counted unless that person has filed this statement.
Beverly Hills has elected a write-in candidate before. Mayor Barry Brucker won election to the BHUSD board in 1997 as a write-in candidate.
Beverly Vista PTA Co-President Noah Margo is considering running as a write-in candidate. Margo told Patch late Thursday that he had not yet finalized his decision. Other residents may decide to run as a write-in candidate as news of Licht’s withdrawal spreads.
The remaining board candidates are continuing with their campaigns. Hall will hold his Sunday as planned (call 310-721-7334 for more information). Goldberg and Bilak, who already held their kickoffs, have scheduled meet-the-community events. For more information, visit their campaign websites at reelectgoldberg.com and francesbilak.com.
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