FUEL Board: The 4/17 School Board Meeting Follow Up
A board meeting that dragged on for nearly five hours left us deeply concerned for our students, staff, and the future of LBUSD.
LBUSD Staff Survey Results Are In — We Must Listen
The numbers below are not just statistics—they are the voices of our teachers, counselors, and support staff. They are the backbone of our schools and the heart of our children’s daily educational experience.
Union leaders for all teachers and staff presented surveys that had the highest participation rates in recent history:
87–91% do not feel supported by this board.
94–97% believe the board’s direction is negative.
95% oppose the board taking more control over curriculum.
89% have voted NO CONFIDENCE in the board’s leadership.
After hearing these devastating results, the board’s response was a single dismissive comment — blaming false narratives rather than taking any responsibility for the real, serious concerns raised.
This is not just frustration — it’s exhaustion. This reflects not only a crisis of confidence, but a call to all of us—parents, guardians, neighbors, and community members—to listen, to understand, and to act. Supporting our teachers and staff isn’t optional — it’s essential. They are the heart and soul of our schools, the reason our children thrive
Our Students Should Be Off Limits
Students and staff raised concerns about inappropriate interactions between Board members and students — crossing professional boundaries through direct communication, social media, and phone calls. Rather than taking responsibility, Board members denied wrongdoing and offered no apology.
We are deeply concerned about the Board Majority inserting themselves into student life, risking student well-being.
Disrespect and Dismissal, In Public View
Meetings are growing longer, draining staff, families, and our community — and continuing a pattern of overreach and trying to solve problems that don’t exist.
The discussion of agenda items could have been addressed through respectful, professional collaboration with staff - instead they are being asked to repeatedly justify their work to appease the Board Majority’s distrust.
Last night’s behavior was reactive and disrespectful, harming our district’s culture. The tone was adversarial, not collaborative — failing to support students, staff, or model effective leadership.
What Was Accomplished
Two important wins emerged: Acting Superintendent Jeff Dixon’s contract was approved, and next year’s curriculum review timeline will start earlier to allow for more meaningful feedback — both positive steps forward.
What This Means for FUEL
We care deeply about this district and our community. We want to attract and retain exceptional people. We want to keep LBUSD a place where students thrive and staff feel valued.
The behavior we saw last night—the dismissiveness, the overreach, and the lack of basic professionalism—stands in contrast to the collaborative spirit we believe is essential for our district’s continued success.
We believe that through our students and staff, we have what we need to move forward, and now is the time to focus on doing just that. This is a district with so much to be proud of. We should be building on the incredible work already happening, celebrating our successes, and embracing every opportunity to grow stronger together.
We are committed to staying engaged. We are committed to showing up. And we are committed to holding this board accountable. Now more than ever, FUEL stands with our educators, our students, and all those in this community who believe we deserve better and that we can do better, together.
Our Ask - Here’s how you can support FUEL today:
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Make a donation to help to receive a Yard Sign
Share our story on social media or in conversations with neighbors
We know we need to grow, and we need to reach more members throughout our community who care about our students, schools, and the Greater Laguna Beach community.
Join us at www.fuellaguna.org
With resolve,
The FUEL Board
