Beverly Hills to Boot Non-District K-8 Pupils

The board voted unanimously to notify all so-called ''permit students'' in kindergarten through 8th grade that they must enroll elsewhere because of the district's new financing formula. But the board will allow all high school students to remain in the district

The issue has inflamed sentiment in this exclusive community, which has long boasted schools that are recognized for excellence. They offer a rich menu of extracurricular activities ranging from madrigal singers to water polo in the renowned ''swim gym'' -- an indoor basketball court that retracts to reveal a pool underneath.

But petitions, Facebook threats and name-calling are what have been on display in recent months. Police attended Tuesday's meeting in case tempers flared into unruly conduct, but the audience remained largely civil. Board President Steven Fenton ejected two audience members for heckling members of the board.

Former Mayor Robert K. Tanenbaum presented the school board with a petition signed by 2,600 residents in favor of allowing the so-called permit students to matriculate.

''We made a commitment to these children when we needed the dollars. The children are not expendable. They are not financial assets,'' he said, to a standing ovation.


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