By Sofia Williams
Editor-In-Chief
On Wednesday, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) Board held an organizational meeting at 5 p.m. to appoint new leadership, followed by a regular meeting to review the district’s budget for the upcoming year.
The organizational meeting began with the election of new board leadership. Current Board President Cathey Graves was elected by the Board to serve as MBUSD Board President for another year. Graves appointed Wysh Weinstein as her Vice President, and Board member Tina Shivpuri was selected to take Weinstein’s former position as Board Clerk. Jen Fenton stepped down from her role as Board Vice President, but will remain a Board member for the 2023-24 school year.
“We have a big year com- ing up,” said Board member Jen Fenton. “2024 will bring budget constraints, construction projects, ethnic studies, and parcel tax, and I think that if anyone can represent the diverse voices in our community, it’s [Graves]. [She] has skillfully moved us along and ensured that we are handling everything [carefully]. I wholeheartedly believe that it is in the best interest of the district for [Graves] to continue serving as Board President.”
After the organizational meeting was adjourned, the regular meeting began with a performance by the Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) string ensemble, which performed a medley of holiday music for the Board. After public comments, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Dawnalyn Murakawa-Leopard presented the first Interim Budget Report. In the report, Murakawa-Leopard stated that statewide budget deficits will likely negatively impact the funding that MBUSD receives for educational programs.
“The state has a $68 billion shortfall that it needs to deal with in the coming year,” said Murakawa-Leopard in the report. “It’s important to consider our budget in light of the state budget, and this heralds some difficult budget discussions at the state level and in schools, because our funding comes from the state.”
Following the budget discussion, the Board approved agreements with Balfour Beatty for the completion of construction on Manhattan Beach Preschool, LA Speech Pa- thology Services for the employment of speech pathologists in the district, and with the DLR Corpo- ration for the creation of an updated District Master Plan. Additionally, the board consented to an in- tern agreement between MBUSD and Northern Arizona University, Costa Model United Nations’ trips to New York City and the Hague, Netherlands, and a proclamation by Beach Cities Health District to become “partners in health.”
“The Manhattan Beach Unified School District has partnered with Beach Cities Health District on multiple occasions to make healthy choices available and accessible to all,” said Beach Cities Health District Board Member Jane Diehl. “MBUSD’s dedication to preventative health and success for 25 years is appreciated by citizens, officials, students, families, and employees throughout the Beach Cities. For this reason, the Beach Cities Health District issued a proclamation to the MBUSD in recognition of its unwavering commitment as a partner in health to create a healthy beach community for all.”
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