LTE - Listen to those who show up
When I was single and living in Chicago, I had no children, no school-aged nieces or nephews, and zero experience with school board politics. But when elections rolled around, I knew exactly where to turn: my neighbors. Not just any neighbors—those with kids, backpacks bigger than they were, racing out the door to school. Why? Because they were in it. They had skin in the game.
Today, my wife and I live in Laguna Beach, and our kids have gone through three local schools—our youngest is now a junior at LBHS, and our oldest is a sophomore at UMD. Like so many families here, we’ve been all in from the beginning. From the early days at Top of the World, we’ve contributed not just through our property taxes but also through years of volunteer hours, significant financial support via donations, and service in programs like PTAs, enrichment initiatives and boosters. Some of us have even held leadership positions in various school organizations, including the largest nonprofit fundraising organization for our public schools.
Many of these committed residents, now part of Families Unified for Education in Laguna (FUEL), a transparent 501(c)(4), have spent years giving their time, resources, and passion to support not just their own children but all students in the district.
That’s why it’s confusing when a few individuals with no meaningful history of involvement in our schools suddenly position themselves as the go-to voices for school board endorsements and policy. In this case, a few neighbors near the high school are upset about capital improvements that might affect their street. I get it—no one loves construction. However, proximity to a school doesn’t make someone an expert in education or a champion for students. What does? Consistent, long-term involvement. Rolling up sleeves to volunteer. Raising money not for recognition but for student enrichment. Being in the trenches with teachers, staff and fellow parents. Listening to students. Listening to each other.
You want to know who to listen to? Ask the people who’ve shown up—year after year—for Laguna’s kids. Not the ones who just got loud when a community facility renovation got close.
Jeff Roedersheimer, Laguna Beach resident, father, public school supporter and FUEL board member
