A TALE OF TWO HIRINGS
In eighteen months, the same five-member board hired two superintendents. One process took four months, a professional search firm, and a public community forum. The other was decided in a single closed session. Here is what the record shows, side by side.
The superintendent sets the direction for every classroom in this district — curriculum, staffing, safety, and how tens of millions of dollars in property-tax revenue get spent each year. That is not a decision that should be made in secret. Twice in eighteen months, this board chose a superintendent. Once, it took months, a professional search firm, and a public forum where families could ask questions. The second time, the public found out after the decision was already made. Laguna Beach families deserve to know why the process changed — and who decided it should.
STAGE 1 - HOW IT BEGAN
Dr. GLASS
The board voted 3–2 in closed session to separate from Dr. Glass, with his resignation effective May 31, 2026. [Source: Citizen Portal, May 12-13, 2026]
Dr. AUSTIN
STAGE 2 - The Search
The board interviewed two search firms and selected Leadership Associates on February 12, 2025, beginning what was described as a four-month nationwide search. [Source: BoardDocs, Feb 12, 2025 agenda; Citizen Portal]
Dr. GLASS
No public record of a search firm has been found for this appointment. [No public record found]
Dr. AUSTIN
STAGE 3 - Community input
The board held a community input session on March 27, 2025, focused on the superintendent search. [Source: BoardDocs, Mar 27, 2025 agenda]
Dr. GLASS
No public forum, survey, or stakeholder session tied to this appointment appears in the board's public record. [No public record found]
Dr. AUSTIN
STAGE 4 - Candidates + interviews
Candidate interviews were held in closed session on May 10, 2025, as permitted for personnel matters under Government Code §54957. The number of finalists is not part of the public record. [BoardDocs, May 10 2025]
Dr. GLASS
In a single closed session on May 14, 2026, the board took two actions: it unanimously appointed an interim superintendent effective immediately, and voted 3–2 to name Dr. Austin as the next superintendent, effective July 1, 2026. [Source: Citizen Portal, May 14, 2026]
Dr. AUSTIN
STAGE 5 - The vote
On June 9, 2025, the board approved Dr. Glass's pre-employment agreement unanimously, 5–0. [Source: BoardDocs, June 9, 2025 minutes]
Dr. GLASS
On June 4, 2026, the board approved a four-year employment agreement with a base salary of $450,000, effective July 1, 2026, by a vote of 3–2. At that meeting, Trustee Malczewski said the relevant policy exists to "protect against bias," and asked who had decided the policy would not apply. [Source: Citizen Portal, June 4, 2026]
Dr. AUSTIN
STAGE 6 - the rules that apply
Board Policy 2120, "Superintendent Recruitment and Selection," was adopted September 9, 2021, and remains active district policy. [Full policy text — link] Under legal review: how this policy's language applies to the 2026 process.
closing statemenT
This is not a question of which leader is better suited to the role. It's a question of whether the same process applied both times.
Under legal review: a separate claim regarding public access to the 2026 contract before the vote. What is confirmed on the public record is that parents and residents have filed complaints alleging Brown Act and ADA Title II violations related to disclosure — an open matter, not yet resolved.