Will Karrat – Beverly Hills Unified School District

In the world of school construction and modernization, success isn’t just measured by square footage or budget spreadsheets—it’s measured by trust. For Will Karrat, executive director of construction services at the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD), rebuilding trust has been the cornerstone of his work since he assumed the role just over two and a half years ago. With a deep respect for the district’s history and a clear vision for its future, Karrat has helped transform a once-troubled construction program into a model of efficiency and achievement.

From the award-winning El Rodeo Elementary School renovation to the ongoing development of the Konheim Athletic Building and long-awaited theater project at Beverly Hills High School, Karrat is helping BHUSD modernize its facilities with an eye on transparency, community engagement, and “Educational Excellence.”

Located in one of the nation’s most well-known cities, Beverly Hills Unified School District serves approximately 3,300 students across two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

Within the district, Beverly Hills High School boasts an impressive list of alumni who have made their mark in entertainment, business, and politics. Among its most notable graduates are Hollywood legends like Angelina Jolie, Nicolas Cage, and Lenny Kravitz, as well as celebrated filmmaker Rob Reiner. The school has also produced industry moguls such as David Geffen and countless television stars, screenwriters, and producers. Known for its proximity to the entertainment capital of the world, Beverly Hills High has long been a launching pad for creative talent, blending academic rigor with cultural opportunity.

The district is nationally recognized for its academic performance, with students consistently scoring well above average on standardized tests. Its facilities, however, have long needed upgrades to match the excellence inside the classroom.

“Many of our buildings are over a hundred years old,” Karrat explains. “We’re not only modernizing, but we’re also preserving what makes these campuses special while creating state-of-the-art environments for students and staff.”

The construction department at BHUSD, under Karrat’s leadership, oversees every phase of capital improvement projects, nearly all of which are funded through local bond measures. These projects range from design and planning to contractor hiring, construction execution, and final completion. When Karrat first arrived, the district struggled with delays, budget overruns, and a fractured relationship with community stakeholders. Turning that around meant more than tightening budgets—it meant rebuilding credibility.

A showcase of progress

Among Karrat’s early achievements is the modernization of El Rodeo Elementary School—a project that had lingered for years before he joined the district. Once plagued by delays and miscommunication, the project found new life under their new bond management team, Fonder-Salari, and Karrat’s leadership and was completed on time and within budget, opening to students and staff in the fall of 2024.

“This project was a major win for our team and the community,” Karrat says. “It became a turning point for us—a demonstration of what we could accomplish with the right alignment and transparency.”

The revamped campus earned high praise from families and staff and several architectural design awards. A particularly symbolic milestone came when the school’s theater was completed early—months before the rest of the campus. It served as the venue for events like the district’s annual administrative day, offering a glimpse into the revitalized space and helping restore public confidence in the construction program.

Karrat attributes this success to the close collaboration between his department, the general contractor, and bond management team.

“We worked hard to establish clear lines of communication and shared goals,” he says. “Once everyone was on the same page, we could move forward effectively and deliver results.”

Ambition meets accountability

With El Rodeo completed, Karrat has shifted his focus to an even more ambitious project: the Konheim Athletic Building at Beverly Hills High School. The original plan for this state-of-the-art athletic facility carried a price tag of nearly $100 million—well beyond what the district could afford without compromising other promised projects from the bond.

Faced with a difficult reality, Karrat and his team undertook extensive value engineering, reevaluating every design element to preserve function and vision while lowering costs. Through a streamlined and competitive bid process, the project’s cost was reduced to approximately $60 million, without sacrificing the building’s core goals.

“The savings we achieved through value engineering and better scheduling were critical,” Karrat explains. “It allowed us to stay within the bond allocation and keep our promise to the community to complete all the projects outlined in that bond.”

Construction on the Konheim Athletic Building broke ground in early 2024 and is currently on track for completion by the end of 2026. Once finished, the facility will include cutting-edge training, fitness, and competition spaces to meet student-athletes’ needs for decades to come.

Karrat views the project as more than just a new building; it is a message: “This facility is about opportunity for our students, our athletic programs, and our entire community.”

Reimagination & innovation

Another high-profile project now nearing completion is the newly modernized theater complex at Beverly Hills High School. Due to structural and design challenges, this long-overdue modernization project—part of the district’s broader plan to enhance its flagship campus—has been offline for more than six years.

“It’s one of the most anticipated projects in the district,” Karrat says. “We had to navigate a lot of unknowns during the planning and early construction phases, especially when it came to the structural integrity of the building. But we’re almost there.”

The renovated theater will include a 1,200-seat main performance hall, a smaller black box theater, orchestra and band spaces, several classrooms, and dedicated office areas. Designed not only for student use but also for community performances, further reflecting the district’s commitment to public engagement and shared investment.

Once open in the fall, the space is expected to become a cultural hub for the school and the broader community.

“This theater will bring people together,” Karrat says. “It’s a space where students can express themselves, and the public can witness the incredible talent in our schools.”

A career built on foundations—literally

Karrat didn’t begin his professional life in education, but construction has always been part of his story. Raised in Utica, New York, he paid his way through college by working in masonry, concrete, and general contracting. He earned a degree in political science and government from the University of Buffalo with an initial goal of practicing construction contract law.

That legal foundation eventually led him to California, where he shifted toward managing construction projects directly. After stints with Lundgren Management, a nine-year tenure as director of construction for the College of the Canyons and director of college facilities for Los Angeles Valley College, he joined BHUSD in 2022.

His background gives him a unique advantage—equal parts strategic planner and hands-on builder.

“Understanding the work on the ground makes a huge difference,” he notes. “You know where the risks are and how to prevent them. You understand what the crews are dealing with.”

In addition to managing active construction, Karrat ensures the district is positioned for future success. This includes maximizing funding opportunities through local bonds, developer fees, and Proposition 2 modernization funds, as well as supporting career and technical education (CTE) programs that encourage interest in the skilled trades. The district, he notes, is primarily focused on growing its culinary and technical training programs.

“Labor shortages in the trades are a real concern nationwide,” he says. “Fortunately, we’ve had strong interest from contractors on our current projects, and we’re doing our part to create pathways for the next generation.”

As Beverly Hills Unified School District continues to modernize, one of its most important resources isn’t made of steel or stone—it’s the renewed trust of its community. Under Will Karrat’s leadership, BHUSD has demonstrated what’s possible when strong planning, transparency, and community engagement come together.

“We’re not just building facilities,” Karrat emphasizes. “We’re building environments where students want to learn, teachers want to teach, and families feel proud to send their kids.”

With the El Rodeo project behind them, the theater nearing completion, and the Konheim Athletic Building rising from the ground, BHUSD’s future has never looked stronger or more grounded in “Educational Excellence.”