School’s Out For Winter Break - Enjoy The Holiday Season!
BEVERLY HILLS VOLUME: LI
NUMBER 51
$135 PER YEAR - $1.25 PER COPY
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www.bhcourier.com
Longtime salon owner Jim Wayne enters City Council race. 4
The BHHS boys basketball team lost three straight in the BH Tournament. 17 •Real Estate •Arts & Entertainment •Letters to the Editor
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George Christy, Page 6 Cora Sue Collins Has Opened Up A Pop-up Shop In Beverly Hills With Treasures From Her Paris Life. Couture Clothing, Designer Handbags and Hats, Jewelry, Antiques, Paintings
CLASSIFIEDS • Announcements • Real Estate • Rentals • Sales • and More
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Beverly Hills School District Must Shave $20M From Budget Over Next Four Years By Laura Coleman Beverly Hills school leaders got a stark dose of reality this week when they learned that $5 million must be shaved from next year’s proposed budget. A report presented at Monday’s board meeting revealed that the district is projected to have $4.3 million in deficit spending this year and $4.6 million for the 2017-18 fiscal year. “We have some budget reductions we’re going to have to make going into the 2017-18 year,” Beverly Hills Unified School District Chief Administrative Officer La Tanya Kirk-Carter informed the board while leading them through a presentation. The information came just days before Kirk-Carter submitted BHUSD’s First Interim Report for 2016-17 to the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). The submitted budget reflected a positive certification for three years out. The report states: “The 201617 First Interim Report projects the District’s General Fund to end with a positive fund balance while meeting the 3 percent required Reserve for Economic Uncertainties. However, as expenses continue to increase more rapidly than expected rev-
Celebrity Photo/Scott Downie
Beverly Hills pays tribute on World AIDS Day at The Wallis. 4
December 16, 2016
BHUSD Hires Former Illinois Superintendent Bregy To Replace Steve Kessler
GOLDEN GLOBES — The Beverly Hilton was once again the center of the Hollywood universe Monday morning where the nominations for the 2017 Golden Globes were announced. Musical La La Land earned a leading seven nods, while The People v. O.J. Simpson picked up five. Pictured, from left, Golden Globes nomination presenters: President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Lorenzo Soria, Anna Kendrick, Laura Dern and Don Cheadle. Photo by Scott Downie
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enue, reductions are necessary in the 2017-18 Fiscal Year to continue the District’s Positive Certification.“ In addition to requiring a $5 million reduction from the upcoming budget, the board must decide how to sustain $5 million in reductions for each of the three subsequent years, for a total savings of $20 million. The report submitted to LACOE projects expenditures for 2017-18 to be $63.9 million, which reflects a $5 million reduction that the board must figure out. For the current fiscal year, expenditures are anticipated to be $68.6 million. “Now the heavy lifting comes because we’re committed to doing that,” said Board President Mel Spitz. “There’s an absolute necessity to reduce our expenditures by at least $5 million a year, and it’s got to be a sustained reduction.” Kirk-Carter informed the board they had until March to figure out how to shave the money from the budget. Spitz confirmed that starting next month the board would commence study sessions. ”I’m very glad that the board has recognized this and we’re now committed to this because it’s built into the budget,” he said.
THE CROWD CHEERED — Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt attended the world premiere of Passengers presented by Columbia Pictures in association with LStar Capital, Village Roadshow and Wanda Pictures.
By Laura Coleman On Monday, the Board of Education unanimously approved the hire of Dr. Michael Bregy as the new superintendent for Beverly Hills Unified School District with a starting annual salary of $265,000. Bregy’s three-year contract also includes a $7,200 annual car allowance, a $1,800 annual phone allowance and all health benefits. Bregy, whose start date is Feb. 1, will leave his current position as superintendent of North Shore School District 112, which is located just north of Chicago, Illinois. As part of his contract, BHUSD will pay a $12,000 buy-out for Bregy’s current employment contract at North Shore, an $18,000 buy-out for his current home lease, and up to $10,000 for Bregy to relocate from Illinois. BHUSD spent approxi-
Dr. Michael Bregy
mately one month looking to fill the position after current Superintendent Steve Kessler announced his retirement last month. Board President Mel Spitz said that the district interviewed two candidates after receiving 20 applications. “I think we were lucky,” Spitz said. “In my business career, I’ve had occasions to hire CEO’s and other top management positions, and I have never felt more secure than I do about Dr. Bregy.” The school community (see ‘SUPERINTENDENT’ page 19)
NEW YEAR’S EVE IN BEVERLY HILLS The Beverly Hilton Circa 55’s four-course prix fixe menu features amuse bouche for $89/person with entree options such as Colorado lamb ossobuco, lobster ripiena or beef tenderloin. Call 310-887-6055.
The Beverly Hills Hotel
The Polo Lounge’s three-course prix fixe menu with amuse bouche includes entree options of Wild Turbot, Kobe New York Strip Steak or White Truffle Potato Duo. $150/person, call 310887-2777.
L’Ermitage Avec Nous offers a special five-course meal with amuse bouche, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at $125/adult, $65/child. Call 310-860-8660.
Montage Beverly Hills Mardi Gras-themed gala in the Marquesa Ballroom includes hors d’oeuvres, champagne and wine before a five-course dinner menu with wine pairings. $385/person or $280/child, call 310-860-5848. A three-course prix fixe dinner is also offered at Georgie at 5:30 p.m. ($88/person) with a five-course prix fixe menu offered at 8:30 p.m. ($188/person). 310-860-7970.
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Also there: Michael Sheen, Morten Tyldum, Jon Spaihts, Neal Moritz, Stephen Hamel, Michael Maher, Ori Marmur, Bruce Berman, Greg Basser, Ben Waisbren, David Householter and Lynwood Spinks.
Two seatings – one at 5:30 p.m. at The Belvedere for a fourcourse menu at $150/person, and another at 9 p.m. at The Belvedere and The Living Room, featuring a six-course gala dinner, with live band and dancing for $275/person. Call 310975-2736.
For more photos, see George Christy’s column on page 6.
SEE PAGE 4 FOR MORE FUN NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECIALS