fine, the recognition is if you do it in that way, you preserve much longer the base structure of the streets.

That saves cities money. Several mayors walked away saying, Thats something I need my Public Works Department [to do]. The other thing I thought was really important was the opportunity to interface briefs cont. from page 7 with students. Bushe said the new contract, which increases contact minutes by 100 per week, could lead to decreasing passing-period length and increasing instructional minutes at Beverly High. We are working in a community fortunately where BHEA has played an active role in the election process of school board members, Bushe said. Weve gotten our voice out there. I think this is a tangible result of working with Board of Education members, having a Board of Education that has hired a good administrative team so we are working in a mode of cooperation and not one of conflict. In his comments to the board, BHEA President Mark Frenn said the negotiations represented an unprecedented level of cooperation and teamwork between parties. Later in the meeting during a separate discussion about middle-school foreign language, Vice President Jake Manaster said the negotiations were the smoothest he has seen since joining the board. He also pointed out the tentative agreement requires increased expenditures. We approved tonight expenditures that easily outstrip any of the cuts we are considering tonight, because we thought about teacher morale first and student morale a close second, Manaster said. Frankly, I think the two are actually in reality reversed, [but] its terribly important to have people dedicated to teaching students and not disgruntled about their compensation. It wasnt done with a forced hand. It was done in I think a very mature way and one which is exemplary, especially in the County of Los Angeles. It doesnt go like this very often. According to President Brian Goldberg, the total increase in compensation to BHEA is approximately $1,040,000. The board also unanimously approved tentative agreements with the office, technical and business services unit and the instructional assistants unit, which will also receive pay raises if Governor Jerry Browns tax initiative passes this fall.

to find grant money. I learned there are some significant opportunities for cities to go out for regional grant monies for infrastructure needs in the community. What did you take away from the conference? I walked away with the fact that when

people say, All politics are local, in todays world, I think politics and the decision making are local. When you look at what mayors and councils do to manage their cities, if Congress actually would start doing what cities do every day, I think Washington would be a much better place. We all have to work together. We all have

to come together in the end. [As cities, we] produce a balanced budget every year. Its the law. States dont even do it. They produce it but they do it with smoke and mirrors. We deal with critical issues that face communities, whether its crime, redevelopment or tourism. We work to solve these problems.

Abramoff talk to benefit Concern Foundation

F o r m e r Washington, D.C. lobbyist and Beverly High graduate Jack Abramoff will speak at Caroll & Company June 28 at 6:30 p.m. as part of the Thought Leader of 2012 series benefiting the Concern

Jack Abramoff

Foundation.

Bailey set the national record of 45.19 April CBS journalist and Concern Foundation compete in cross country and track and field. Norman junior Alex Rohani was third in the 28 in the Class 5A Region I meet in Lubbock, board member Frank Mottek will moderate a discussion with Abramoff, who will then sign boys 400 in 51.03, .03 behind runner-up Matt Texas, breaking the previous record of 45.25 Tyson, a senior from Eleanor Roosevelt High set by Calvin Harrison in 1993. Bailey has copies of his book Capitol Punishment. The event is free but a $25 donation is School in Corona. Aldrich Bailey, a senior signed with Texas A&M. --Steven Herbert requested to benefit the Concern Foundation. from Timberview High School in Arlington, Refreshments will be served. RSVP is requi- Texas, won in 47.57. red. Call (310) 360-6100 or e-mail info@concernfounBHUSD retirees look back dation.org. During her career at Beverly Vista, retiring social studies teacher Ruth Splansky said she has had the opportunity to work with outstanding administrators and colleagues. Beverly Hills For this entire 19-year period that Ive been here, we have had a solid Athletic Alumni eighth-grade team: Melody Dickens, Merle Bauer, Mark Frenn, Splansky said. Association poker Together we have set very high standards for the eighth grade. tournament In taking on two sections of sixth-grade social studies this year, Splansky said tonight she also enjoyed working with Caleb Humphreys, who taught the other two secThe Beverly Hills Athletic tions. Alumni Association will Coming to Beverly Hills in 1993 from LAUSD, Splansky said she was welhost its inaugural Poker comed with support from eighth-grade social studies teachers at the three other Tournament tonight at K-8 schools: Janet Lambert from Hawthorne, Toni Staser from El Rodeo and 7 p.m. at Jerrys Deli in Ruth Splansky Terry Brown from Horace Mann. Westwood. All proceeds I was amazed to see the students did all their homework, that it was such a will benefit the Beverly beautiful, clean facility and there was a lot of motivation for learning, Splansky said. It was a more stimulatHigh Athletic Department. ing atmosphere academically. The grand-prize winner Splansky applied to teach in Beverly Hills after meeting then-Beverly High teacher Marilyn Wullinger will take home a 42 LCD on a trip to Singapore with their respective classes that had won a Singapore Airlines ambassador program HDTV. The $100 entrancompetition. ce fee includes dinner and When Splansky started at Beverly Vista in Fall 1993, she replaced Irene Stern, who had been promoted to $1,500 worth of tournament assistant principal, as the eighth-grade social studies teacher. chips. To register, visit [Stern] provides leadership and sets a standard of excellence that has benefited me personally and has www.bhaaa.org and click benefited the school tremendously, Splansky said. Ive been very fortunate to have worked under three very the Poker tab. For more supportive administrations between Nadine Breuer, Erik Warren and Irene Stern. information, contact Julie By teaching eighth-grade U.S. history, sixth-grade ancient civilizations and a geography elective called Pack Steinberg at bhathleticaluYour Bags, Splansky has had the opportunity to share her interest in geography. mni@pacbell.net or (310) In Pack Your Bags, Splansky taught a unit in which students evaluated the difference in commercial devel385-0679. opment on Beverly Drive south and north of Wilshire, and compared the commercial districts of Beverly and --Briefs compiled by Rodeo drives. Melanie Anderson It was a good practical experience in touching on various components of geography these kids were not normally exposed to, Splansky said. Splansky, who was recognized with the Apple Award in 2001, said Beverly Hills has been a wonderful place BHHS Runners to teach. She said she has gained lifelong friends, including former Beverly Vista teacher Marilyn Landau. Finish Second, Ive just loved my time here, Splansky said. I have found it to be a stimulating and rewarding career in Third in Beverly Hills. Invitational Track In early retirement, Splansky looks forward to the birth of her first grandchild to daughter Deborah Meet Schlosberg, her daughter Jennifer Splanskys wedding, and a six-week trip to India in February with her Beverly High senior husband Joel. Brianna Simmons finRetired Moreno High secretary Barbara Palmer said her favorite memories from ished second in the girls her time at BHUSD are of the people. mile run at the Golden I loved working with the kids, Palmer said. I went to the prom every year West Invitational June 9 at to represent Moreno and I took all the photos of all the kids. That was the best Folsom High, while teampart. mate Sydney Segal was Palmer said Moreno High Director Joe Wianecki, who she worked with from third. 1999 to December 2011, is like a brother. Simmons was timed in Joe knows how to teach and he does it with an even keel, Palmer said. Hes five minutes, 9.15 secreally calm and doesnt get upset. The kids just really love Joe. onds and Segal, a junior, In her last few years on the job, Palmer split her time between Moreno and the in 5:11.62. Dani Aragon, district office where she assisted former Assistant Superintendent of Educational a senior from Billings Services Ilene Straus. Barbara Palmer Senior High School and the That was great because I made some really good friends there, Palmer said. Montana State AA chamThose friends include Yangchen Dolkar, Dinora Diaz, Claudia Grover, Christie Shaffer, Adelfa Kubu, and pion in the 800 and 1,600 Raquel Ramsey. meters, won in 5:05.60. I love the whole purchasing/accounts payable department, Palmer said. They were always very helpful. Aragon has signed a letIve dealt with tech support a lot; Eddie Dequia is wonderful. ter of intent to accept an In retirement, Palmer said she is enjoying life without an alarm clock. athletic scholarship from Im getting stuff done at home, Im visiting people more, Im taking short trips, Palmer said. Im going Notre Dame, where she will on my 50th class reunion in July. Were taking a cruise to Alaska. June 21 - June 27, 2012 Page 11