TOP SALARIES AND BENEFITS IN MANHATTAN BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT DRAW SCRUTINY:
By Paul Wafer (MB Community Activist)
Recent public payroll data from the Manhattan Beach Unified School District reveals that several of the district’s highest-ranking employees earned substantial compensation (salary and benefits) in 2024 (latest available data), with salaries in many cases significantly exceeding both district and statewide averages for similar roles. For comparison purposes, the Superintendent for the City of Los Angeles School District, the second largest in the US with over 1,300 schools and 550,000 students, has a salary of $444,000. At the top of the Manhattan Beach pay scale, the Superintendent earned $415,409, a figure approximately 153% higher than the average superintendent salary and only 6% less than Los Angeles. The Deputy Superintendent followed with total compensation of $337,773, exceeding the average for that position by 58%. Other senior administrative roles also ranked highly. An Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services earned $275,042 – 164% above the broader school district category average – while the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources received $249,570, or 67% above the norm for that role. Director-level positions showed a similar pattern. The Director of Information Technology earned $233,235 (74% above average), while the Director of Curriculum and Instruction earned $218,145, more than double the average salary benchmark for comparable school district roles. Additional directors – including Student Services, Facilities Maintenance, and Early Learning – earned between approximately $198,000 and $200,000, with premiums ranging from 14% to 75% above average. At the school site level, several principals also received compensation well above typical benchmarks. Elementary school principals earned between $197,000 and $200,000 – roughly 33% to 35% above average – while a middle school principal earned $197,126, about 40% higher than the norm. Even within the teaching ranks, compensation at the upper end stood out. A high school teacher earned $192,752, approximately 36% above the average for that position. Overall, the data highlights a consistent trend: top administrators and senior staff within Manhattan Beach Unified are compensated at levels well above average for comparable roles. While higher salaries can reflect experience, district performance, and the high cost of living in coastal Southern California, the scale of these differences may prompt further discussion about budget priorities, compensation structures, and long-term fiscal sustainability.
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Raising A Glass For Good – MB Weekly To Celebrate P.S. I Love You Foundation’s 25Th Anniversary With Special Cocktail Party:
MB Weekly will host a special cocktail party on Tuesday, April 28th at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the beloved P.S. I Love You Foundation and honor its founder Patricia Jones for her extraordinary decades of service to children and families in need. The event will take place at Fête Bistro by David Slay, the acclaimed Manhattan Beach restaurant known for its award-winning dining and elegant atmosphere. Community leaders, supporters, and friends are expected to gather for the celebratory evening recognizing the tremendous impact the foundation has made over the last quarter century through its mission of bringing hope, support, and enrichment to underserved youth throughout Los Angeles County. “We are honored to be hosting this important community event,” said the co-editor of MB Weekly. “Patricia Jones and the P.S. I Love You Foundation have touched countless lives, and we are thrilled to celebrate this remarkable milestone with the community.” The event is expected to draw many of the South Bay’s leading civic and philanthropic figures.
www.PSILoveYouFoundation.org
MB WEEKLY:
The Faces of Manhattan Beach
Mike Welsh
(President of South Bay Classical)
Q: WHY ARE YOU STARTING A NEW SCHOOL IN THE SOUTH BAY?
A: Even though my own children are grown, and my grandchildren live out of state, my heart has never left the world of children and education. For years I’ve believed there was a richer, more time-tested way to form young hearts and minds, and discovering classical education felt like finally finding what I had been looking for. I gathered a board of people who shared that conviction, and together we formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so this school could truly serve families, not shareholders. The board members have personally given financially because we want our commitment to be more than words – we see this as an investment in the next generation and in the South Bay community we love. If someone reading this feels the same tug to restore this kind of education for children, we would be honored to have you partner with us through a tax-deductible donation to help bring this vision to life.
Q: SOUTH BAY CLASSICAL ACADEMY IS ROOTED IN CLASSICAL EDUCATION. IN A WORLD OBSESSED WITH SPEED, SCREENS, AND SHORT ATTENTION SPANS, WHY GO BACK 2,000 YEARS TO MOVE FORWARD?
A: At our core, we believe that while the world around us has changed dramatically, human nature hasn’t. The way children grow, think, and discover truth is the same today as it was thousands of years ago. A classical education builds on that timeless understanding – it helps students slow down, think deeply, and engage fully with ideas. In a fast-paced, tech-driven world, this approach reminds us that real learning comes not from what’s most efficient, but from what’s most meaningful.
Q: MANY PARENTS HEAR THE TERM “CLASSICAL EDUCATION” BUT AREN’T SURE WHAT IT REALLY MEANS …
A: Classical education begins with the belief that language is the foundation of thought. By helping students read, write, listen, and speak well, we give them tools to think clearly and express themselves confidently. We also emphasize understanding the “why” behind ideas in math, science, history, and literature – so learning feels connected and purposeful. While many classrooms today use technology to support learning, our focus stays on human connection, conversation, and curiosity as the heart of education.
Q: CLASSICAL SCHOOLS OFTEN EMPHASIZE VIRTUE, LOGIC, RHETORIC, AND CHARACTER. HOW DO YOU TEACH THOSE IDEALS TO FIVE- AND SIX-YEAR-OLDS IN A WAY THAT FEELS ALIVE RATHER THAN ACADEMIC?
A: We bring those ideals to life by shaping the whole atmosphere of the classroom, not just adding another subject to the schedule. We start by hiring teachers of strong character who genuinely love children and model patience, honesty, and joy in learning, because young students naturally imitate the adults they trust. We’re also very intentional about what surrounds them each day: the art on the walls, the words and quotes we display, the songs and stories we share, and the way we speak to our students and to one another. Through beautiful stories with heroic examples, rich read-alouds, simple class traditions, and daily habits of kindness and responsibility, virtue, logic, rhetoric, and character feel like something to discover and practice, not something to be lectured about.
Q: IF WE VISITED YOUR CAMPUS FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO SEE IN YOUR GRADUATES THAT WOULD CLEARLY DISTINGUISH THEM FROM THEIR PEERS?
A: We hope you would meet young men and women who are genuinely free and deeply joyful – students who have grit, carry themselves with quiet confidence, and can speak clearly and thoughtfully in any setting. They would be the kind of people who listen carefully to others’ ideas, consider them seriously, and still hold fast to well-formed principles. You’d also see graduates who know how to build deep friendships and who honor their families with honesty and gratitude. They would be comfortable with technology but not controlled by it, more interested in pursuing truth, goodness, and beauty than chasing trends. Our hope is that they step into the world ready to serve and to lead, helping to renew the culture around them rather than simply reflect it.
www.SouthBayClassical.org
MB WEEKLY – READER POLL:
Allergy Epidemic Hits South Bay – Rain Adds Misery For Afflicted Residents
As the South Bay grapples with a surge in allergies, a recent MB Weekly Reader poll unveils vivid statistics. Nearly one-third of adults aged 18 and over report battling seasonal allergies, eczema, or food allergies. Among them is Ron J., a seasoned Manhattan Beach resident, who laments the worsening conditions exacerbated by rain. The poll highlights a growing concern among residents, attributing the spike to environmental changes, pollution, and genetic predispositions. As the community seeks solutions, medical experts urge proactive measures such as allergen avoidance and proper medication. Yet, the battle against allergies rages on, leaving residents to navigate a landscape where even the weather becomes a formidable foe.
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JOEY Manhattan Beach:
Celebrate Mother’s Day or any occasion in style between May 4 – 10
From prosecco to champagne, you can now pre-order a bottle when you book, chilled and ready for your arrival.
3120 N. Sepulveda Blvd | (310) 546-1163 | www.JoeyRestaurants.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by S.N. (Manhattan Beach)
California taxpayers are being asked to swallow a bitter, almost unbelievable pill. While families struggle with soaring gas prices, rent, and groceries, Sacramento has decided your hard-earned money may be underwriting elective procedures – including, yes, boob jobs – for people who are here illegally. Let that sink in. Under Gavin Newsom’s expanded Medi-Cal program, billions are now flowing into a system stretched beyond recognition – $9 billion a year, with 1.7 million enrollees added. And amid that expansion are reports – troubling, infuriating reports – of taxpayer-funded gender procedures, from hormone therapy to surgeries and breast augmentation. This isn’t about compassion; it’s about priorities. When citizens can’t access timely care, when emergency rooms are overwhelmed, and when working Californians are taxed to the breaking point, this feels less like policy and more like provocation. At some point, the question must be asked: who exactly is this system designed to serve – and who is left paying the price?
Agree? Disagree? Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
Brewco Social:
$10.95 HAPPY HOUR | Monday-Friday | 3PM-6PM
Daily Seasonal Late Night 8PM-Close
*Excludes Holidays and Special Events
124 Manhattan Beach Blvd. | (310) 798-2744 | www.BrewcoSocial.com
Jaws Inches Away! Shark Stalks Surfer In Manhattan Beach Shocker:
Manhattan Beach surfers got a chilling wake-up call after jaw-dropping drone footage showed a shark cruising just inches beneath a paddle boarder riding a small wave. Captured April 15 by visual artist Bo Bridges, the video reveals the predator lurking directly under the surfer’s board before slipping away. Experts warn sightings along the Southern California coast are rising, fueled by warmer waters and potential El Niño conditions drawing young great whites closer to shore. One witness even reported a shark breaching five feet into the air nearby. While attacks remain rare, officials say the close encounters signal a “sharky summer” ahead – and a stark reminder: you’re never alone in the water.
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Elizabeth S. (Manhattan Beach)
Sadly, there isn’t much you can do if they want to keep on drinking. Both my parents were alcoholics. Neither of them wanted to go to AA or any other type of help for addiction. I lived with my dad, who would get drunk every night and also constantly drive on the wrong side of the street when he was impaired. You are smart for not allowing them to drive your children. Alcoholics have to want to stop and don’t want to understand what alcohol does to many parts of the body. My best friend is another example. She won’t stop and has been warned by many, including her children. Not too many people can convince them. My mom died of cirrhosis at the age of 49. I was 14. Just continue to pray for them.
Please share your comment: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
MB WEEKLY – READER QUESTION?
WHY DO SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE SOUTH BAY SEEM BORED AND UNMOTIVATED?
Please share your comment with thousands and thousands of your neighbors in Manhattan Beach and surrounding South Bay communities.
Send your reply to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net (Maximum 100 words)
THE MB WHISPERER:
***Brunch at Tin Roof Bistro? Always a scene – good food, better people-watching. ***Speaking of which, let’s not kid ourselves: parking in downtown Manhattan Beach is a full-contact sport – Hunger Games, but with Teslas circling the block. ***And while we’re observing – those heavily tattooed, nose-ringed twenty-somethings waitresses working the South Bay circuit? Let’s check back in ten years. Regret has a funny way of aging faster than ink. ***Career goals? Easy. Land a gig with the City of Manhattan Beach. Terrific pay, easy hours! ***Moment of silence for Nando Trattoria – gone but not forgotten. ***Finally, Manhattan Village is lovely… but Chili’s? Really? Aim higher, folks. ***Have a tip for The MB Whisperer, send it to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
Dive N’ Surf:
New gear just dropped – Stop by Dive N’ Surf
Your one-stop shop for everything you need … Come check it out before it’s gone!
504 N Broadway, Redondo Beach | 310-372-8423 | www.DiveNSurf.com
MB WEEKLY – COMMENTARY:
by Bob Holmes (Former MB Mayor)
I do not believe it is appropriate for me or other former mayors to comment directly on the performance of our City Manager. Only two people report directly to the City Council – the City Manager and the City Attorney. The City Council should establish clear goals for both and measure them against that standard. The Council should establish clear, objective, and measurable metrics to evaluate performance. The standards for performance appraisals should be direct and not “fuzzy” or vague. Ours is a city of well-educated, successful business people. That is how business runs and that is how our municipal corporation should be run. Ask your councilmembers what standards they use and see if you are satisfied with the answer.
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Teen Hero Shatters Stereotypes – And Raises $150K For UCLA Program:
While critics wring their hands over TikTok and AI, Mira Costa High School junior Jonah Segil is rewriting the narrative. Last week, Segil became the first high school student honored by the UCLA Center for LGBTQ Advocacy, Research and Health, earning its Meritorious LGBTQ+ Service Award. The Manhattan Beach teen raised more than $150,000 after the center faced devastating budget cuts, helping sustain critical services for LGBTQ+ individuals and families across Los Angeles. Segil was also awarded a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Ted Lieu.
Costa Commander – Dr. Huynh Makes History As MBUSDs First-Ever Admin Of The Year:
MBUSD made history last week by honoring Dr. Jennifer Huynh as its first-ever Administrator of the Year during a Board of Trustees meeting. As principal of Mira Costa High School, Huynh has earned praise for her student-first leadership and relentless focus on improvement. Her initiatives include launching AIRE time at Manhattan Beach Middle School and strengthening collaboration among Costa staff. District leaders credit her with expanding opportunities and support systems for students across MBUSD. The recognition underscores Huynh’s growing impact and sets a high bar for educational leadership in the South Bay.
www.MiraCostaHigh.org
MB WEEKLY – LENS:
Bliss Nails in Manhattan Beach. Feel free to send your photos to: MBWeekly@TimeWire.net
Time Arrives In Style – The 1916 Company Debuts Luxury Showroom In Manhattan Beach:
The 1916 Company has opened a striking new showroom at Manhattan Village, marking its first entry into a new market since the company’s formation and its 25th global location. Spanning 5,800 square feet, the space showcases elite Swiss brands including Rolex, Breitling, Panerai, Tudor, and De Bethune, alongside fine jewelry. A centerpiece is a 1,350-square-foot Rolex boutique, designed to deliver a refined, highly personalized luxury experience.
www.The1916Company.com
BELLA BUILDERS:
A Local Residential Builder
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ADU’s and New Homes – Manhattan Beach and The Palisades
Full Service From Concept To Completion
www.BeautifulBuilder.com | www.FirewiseHomes.com
Vinny@beautifulbuilder.com | 310 809 4999
DON’T BE A FOOL – READ MB WEEKLY:
www.MBWeekly.net
1. ** I am an 80-year-old grandfather, and I love my grandchildren – but their safety and health have to come first. If your parents cannot see that, then it is their loss. You have asked a simple request. A most important request – they must adhere. —- Dennis Lanfré
2. ** I appreciate last week’s editorial from Concerned Parents regarding the appropriateness of gender ideology in MBUSD elementary school libraries. The Williams Institute at UCLA says only 1% or fewer Americans 13 years or older identify as “transgender,” but in my daughter’s elementary school graduating class, 3 girls identified as boys, representing 5% of the girls and 2.5% of the entire class. And those are just the ones I know about. —- Name Withheld by Request
3. ** AJ. What a terrible position your parents put you in. Your responsibility is to protect your children. Your parents made the decision to continue to drink. I’m sure from your letter, you feel terrible about the loss of your parents and Grandparents in your life. But, it’s nowhere near the pain you would feel if your children were injured because your parents were driving intoxicated. You made the correct decision. —- Steve D., Manhattan Beach
4. ** Absolute insanity: California can’t provide decent roads, water and electricity to its citizens, but Governor Newsom’s office has confirmed that the State is giving free sex-change surgeries to homeless illegal aliens. Our tax dollars at work. —- TJF, Manhattan Beach
5. ** ‘Bout time we coalesce around local control for our city: CC term limits, local zoning, toxic ideology out of MBUSD and Stop the Rise. Reach out to like-minded residents … we need a movement!!! —- Fred Taylor, Manhattan Beach
6. ** This is what I’ve come to expect from California governance: there’s no idea too reckless, no policy too absurd, no program too self-destructive, they won’t bankroll it with your tax dollars. Common sense is out. Accountability is gone. And somehow, you’re still expected to applaud while footing the bill. —- Gabe S., Manhattan Beach
7. ** I’m just intelligent enough to know that I’m not really that intelligent. —- Kelli S., Hermosa Beach
8. ** PSA: Keep your bags close and never leave belongings unattended. Just last week at Trader Joe’s in Manhattan Beach, a thief casually reached into a woman’s cart and stole her phone without her noticing. It happened fast. Stay alert, neighbors – opportunists are watching, even in the most familiar places. —- T.A., Manhattan Beach
9. ** Giving parents a choice for their children’s education. What a crazy idea. —- Mike Welsh, Manhattan Beach
10. ** Well said, Robb! —- Cindy S., Manhattan Beach
11. ** Hermosa Beach just scored a major win. The City Council unanimously approved the Nike After Dark Tour LA, a 13.1-mile women’s half-marathon on October 24. Expect scenic coastal routes, rolling street closures from 4:45–10 p.m., and serious global attention as Nike’s only North American race stop. —- Editor’s Note
12. ** Want a career in the entertainment media? —- Join our award-winning team: www.BoundlessMediaUSA.com
13. ** I recommend reading Frédéric Gros’s A Philosophy of Walking. Recently, I remembered Gros’s book, opened it to a random page, and landed here: “Walking is the best way to go more slowly than any other method that has ever been found. To walk, you need to start with two legs. The rest is optional.” —- Rick D.
14. ** Hooray for the concerned Manhattan Beach resident. Our schools have reached a troubling new level. A child psychologist friend says she’s overwhelmed with young patients confused by what they’re being exposed to and can’t accept new ones. Wake up, parents. Don’t stay silent – get involved. Step away from routines and demand attention from the media. This situation has gone too far and is affecting students at every level – elementary through college. —- Elizabeth S., Manhattan Beach
15. ** The sales tax in our next-door neighbor is 9.75. The sales tax in Manhattan Beach is 10.25%. If you had a big purchase to make, where would you shop? —- Cindy Lowan, Manhattan Beach
16. ** Honest to God, I had no idea that 8% of South Bay women had breast implants. Makes me wanna move there! —- Mitchell S., Brentwood
17. ** The interview with Michael Greenberg was a brilliant exploration of the retail business today. It’s pretty obvious why Mr. Greenberg is a billionaire. —- Jim C., Hermosa Beach
18. ** Sadly, I have to agree with Paul Wafer that David Lesser’s responses to city budget excesses are often evasive. While I like Mayor Lesser personally, he seems incapable of ever answering a question with a simple yes or no. His entire political philosophy seems to be based on the phrase “on the other hand.” —- C.D., Manhattan Beach
19. ** Even though I don’t always agree with Fred Taylor and sometimes find him a bit rough around the edges, I do have to bless him for raising good, valid questions for our new Superintendent of Schools. —- A.K. (A Manhattan Beach Parent)
20. ** Book recommendation I am passionate about – About This Life: Journeys on the Threshold of Memory by Barry Lopez. I have fallen in love with Barry Lopez’s writing. If you’re new to his work, I would suggest reading Of Wolves and Men or Arctic Dreams first, as they are nonfiction at its best. About This Life is a mostly autobiographical collection of essays. In descending order, my favorites are: “Learning to See,” “Orchids on the Volcanoes,” and “Apologia.” —- Timothy T., Redondo Beach
21. ** God bless the parents who wrote the powerful open letter in MB Weekly last week about our MB school system. … In today’s sick world, I completely understand why they wanted to remain anonymous, fearing retaliation against themselves and their children. —- Emi L. (A parent of a Mira Costa child.)
22. ** With a career in public service to a City and its residents, I have seen dozens and dozens of City Managers. The City Council evaluates the City Manager – no one else. Mayor Lesser and Councilmember Howorth are the leaders of this current Council. And, they clearly support our current City Manager. Of course, they hired her. Let me be clear: if you are unhappy with the City Manager, you are unhappy with Mayor Lesser and Councilmember Howorth. —- Mark Burton, Former Mayor of Manhattan Beach
23. ** The parking situation at the LA Times Festival of Books was a disaster! After driving all the way downtown from the South Bay and looking for parking for over an hour, my family and I turned around and we’ll never go back again. The LA Times should be ashamed of itself! —- Ian A., Manhattan Beach
24. ** A glamorous Iranian businesswoman, Shamim Mafi, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of brokering arms deals for Tehran. Authorities allege she arranged shipments of drones, bombs, and millions of ammunition rounds bound for Sudan. The case underscores growing concerns over global weapons trafficking networks. —- Editor’s Note
25. ** Wow, Robb S. That takes courage to say that in print. I completely agree with you. I know of several Democrats who are contemplating voting for a Republican for the first time in their life. They have matured since college, realizing how the real world works. —- Steve De Baets, Manhattan Beach
26. ** I hate Chipotle. —- Darci L., Manhattan Beach
27. ** Tipping can be seen as a tax on the empathetic. —- Dr. Roger S., Hermosa Beach
28. ** To paraphrase the great Milton Friedman, if you put social justice before individual freedom, you will get neither. —- S.H., Manhattan Beach
29. ** I love all of David Slay’s restaurants. The very best of Manhattan Beach! —- Alice W., Manhattan Beach
30. ** If you’ve got kids in a Manhattan Beach elementary school, buckle up – it’s nonstop begging. Emails, texts, flyers, guilt trips … all demanding more money. It’s relentless and shameless. At some point, you wonder if you enrolled your kid in school – or signed up for a never-ending, high-pressure shake-down disguised as “supporting education.” —- C.C. (A Manhattan Beach Parent)
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