briefs cont.

from page 3 related to the Measure E bond, returned to the board with cost estimates to stay within a $180 million budget for the high school, assuming building A would be demolished and the Konheim Athletic Building would be renovated. On March 19, the Board approved an agreement for conceptual designs at Beverly High with DLR architects. DLR architects will present designs to the board on April 30.

Joel Pressman to retire after 38 years at Beverly High

After 38 years at Beverly High, Choral Director Joel Pressman announced Sunday he will retire at the end of the school year. I decided to retire for Joel Pressman several reasons. One is that I am a cancer patient and they say you need to reduce your stress levels and dealing with some of the administrative pronouncements at the school district only enhance my stress levels, said Pressman. I love my students but sometimes the adults make me crazy. Pressman said there have been four choir teachers at Beverly High since its founding in 1927 with Pressman alone comprising about 40 percent of the schools history. Its a lot of years and Ive accomplished what I want to accomplish, said Pressman. Pressman said because he has health issues and because of his involvement in district committees, he has not been able to spend as much time recruiting and interfacing with the middle school programs. He believes maybe a younger person would be able to dedicate more time to doing so. Pressman and his performing arts students just completed performances of The Secret Garden, which is one of his all-time favorite musicals. Thats another thing; it was a truly amazing experience because its a brilliant score and a wonderful cast and I thought I would like to end things on a high note because who knows what the future will bring? said Pressman.

First hired in 1975, Pressman taught for a decade alongside well-known drama teacher John Ingle, who passed away last year. The Madrigal singers, which have received numerous national awards, are under his direction. Pressman is going on medical leave in May, but definitely plans on graduating with his seniors in June. During retirement, Pressman hopes to teach private voice lessons and judge choir festivals for Heritage Festivals. Pressman plans on traveling and living a healthy lifestyle. Pressman took to his Facebook account to announce his retirement. After 38 years teaching at Beverly Hills High School, I have made the difficult decision to retire. How strange to write that sentence, Pressman wrote. So many stories, so many great students, so much joy and so much stress. Thank you to those who allowed me to be their teacher. Do great things. The Weekly will run a lengthier interview with Pressman in the spring.

Proposed faade remodel for Infiniti dealership at 8825 Wilshire Boulevard

Infiniti dealership goes before Architectural Commission

The Architectural Commission approved a faade remodel to the Infiniti dealership proposed to be located at 8825 Wilshire Boulevard. The building was formerly occupied by BMW. This location is one of four proposed sites within the City of Beverly Hills. The Wilshire Boulevard location will contain the sales operations for Infiniti. Theyre adding an illuminated glass front. Theyre putting a curved corner into the monument part of the sign, and theyll be back to us for signage, said Architectural Commission Chair Zale Richard Rubins. The other locations at 9000, 9001, and 9031 Olympic Boulevard are planned to be utilized for vehicle service and preparation operations. A conditional use permit was previously granted by the Planning Commission for the 9001and 9000 Olympic Boulevard locations, as well as 8825 Wilshire Boulevard, to allow vehicle sales and service uses, so new conditional use permits are not required. The 9031 location needs a conditional use permit because it is currently being occupied by an antique rug dealer. The permit is to grant a request to allow vehicle service use. The applicant will go before the Planning Commission today at 7 p.m. The site was previously occupied by Hillcrest Motor Company, which sold and serviced Cadillacs up until 1986. Antiquarian Traders now occupy the space. The 9031 location would work in conjunction with the 9000 and 9001 locations. Patrons would drop their vehicles off for service at the 9001 location. It would serve as the designated drop off and pick up location. A porter would take patrons vehicles from 9001 to 9031 Olympic Boulevard. The 9000 Olympic Boulevard location would be used for vehicle preparation and washing, associated with sales from the Wilshire Boulevard location. A previous Weekly article and the public notice posted by the City indicated that the applicant was also applying for an extended hours permit. The applicant has since withdrawn the request and is proposed to open at 9 a.m. on Saturdays, within the time restrictions in the Citys code. not always conducted through a competitive bid process. Additionally, unlike the contracts administered by the Facilities and Planning Department, district contracts did not include not-to-exceed amounts, hourly rates for prime and subcontractors. However, there are insufficient expenditure controls for some of the contracts administered by the District Office, including: absence of an estimated project or not-toexceed amount for primary contractors; no identification of subcontracting consultants, their fees or not-to-exceed amounts; no limits to and no required documentation for reimbursable expenses; and no prior District approvals prior to subcontractors commencing work paid for with Measurable E bond funds, the report states. The findings suggest the district faces a risk because consultant fees are a large portion of Measure E bond money related to the MTA case. The auditor recommends the district provide the COC with legal invoices, name of consultants, amounts paid to each, and a brief description of the case matter to facilitate transparency and compliance with laws and regulations.

Measure E performance audit critical of BHUSD, calls for more transparency

The Measure E Performance audit for the fiscal year 2011-2012, reviewed by the districts Citizens Oversight Committee on March 21, outlines 16 total recommendations for the BHUSD. The performance audit, prepared by Harvey M. Rose Associates, is for the year July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. The performance audit does not take into account any improvements the district may have made since July of 2012. The majority of the Measure E funds spent in fiscal year 2011-2012 where for professional services directed to school sites and projects, but the largest Measure E expenditure in that year was $1.7 million in legal or professional services related to the MTA proposal to tunnel underneath Beverly High. To ensure the appropriateness of the funds used in litigation, the report suggested that legislation costs be identified as a project list on the Measure E Master Plan. The report findings stated that the district budgeting process for Measure E was not adequately detailed or transparent in Fiscal Year 2011-12. The budget for the year did not include expenditure detail by project or school site or project timelines. The audit also found that contracts administered by the district office, unlike those by the Facilities and Planning Department, were

Page 4 sBeverly Hills Weekly