One LBUSD. One Community. April 16, 2026 Board Meeting Recap.
Last Thursday, over 400 people marched in solidarity for LBUSD staff and students. Hours later, the board met. No report out of closed session. No acknowledgment of the staff listening report. And before the meeting, a Substack publication posted an AI-generated image of a FUEL President Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal holding a bloody ax. Here is what our community needs to know and how you can help.
One LBUSD. One Community. Together.
Last Thursday, something beautiful happened on Park Avenue.
Over 400 people walked together toward Main Beach, organized by CSEA and LaBUFA. Teachers. Staff. Retired educators who gave decades to this community. Students. Parents. Neighbors. People who have never been to a board meeting, but knew in their bones this moment mattered.
It was not a protest. It was a declaration. A celebration of LBUSD: students, teachers, staff, families, and community. The unions had no financial asks. This was an invitation to the larger Laguna Beach community to see the people who are joining together in this important moment. An ask for unity and respect.
To every person who walked: thank you. To every person who wanted to be there but could not: we felt you. To every educator and staff member who keeps showing up for our children every single day: you are family. We see you and we stand with you.
Thursday was proof of what we can do together. As One LBUSD, One Community.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
April 16, 2026 Board Meeting Recap
The board met just hours after the rally. Here is a high level look at what was covered, followed by the items our community needs to understand more deeply.
A senior at Laguna Beach High School stepped up during public comment to address misinformation being spread in our community. She spoke with clarity, confidence, and conviction, noting that student and teacher voices are being ignored and that board decisions directly affect her experience and the experience of students for years to come. We are proud of every young person in this district who is paying attention and using their voice. It is a testament to what we are all capable of when we support and nurture this community together. (Timestamp 00:04:25)
The Facilities Master Plan process is wrapping up with a bond consultant presentation planned for June 4. Community engagement in that process is ongoing.
The LCAP Community Participation session is April 30 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at LBHS. Childcare is provided. "The Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is a tool for local educational agencies to develop goals, plan actions, and leverage resources to meet identified goals to improve student outcomes." Your input directly shapes how this district moves forward. Link to Register: LINK
The Ad Hoc Arts Committee presented interim budget recommendations including a district VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) coordinator, expanded community partnerships, and professional development integration. The board voted unanimously to refer these into the LCAP process for the 2026-27 budget cycle.
The Ad Hoc Transportation Committee reported meaningful progress on bus safety, communication, and access. Bus monitors and a CTE micro-transit pilot were referred into the LCAP process. The vote was 5-0.
Interdistrict transfer eligibility was presented as a discussion item only. No board action was taken. The full discussion was tabled for a future meeting. Enrollment at LBHS is approximately 818 students and, as is the trend nationally, declining. This conversation matters and our community should engage with it when it returns.
The board approved a legal services agreement with Morgan, Lewis and Bockius LLP related to an AB 218 insurance responsibility case. The vote was 3-2.
A community member raised an important concern during public comment. In 2022, the board passed a resolution committing LBUSD to carbon neutrality by 2030 and the district developed a comprehensive Energy Master Plan to get there through solar, battery storage, and energy efficient upgrades across all campuses. In February 2025, a financing mechanism called a Certificates of Participation was on the agenda and ready to move forward. Board Members Morgan and Perry pulled it from the agenda. It has never come back. With bond conversations and the Facilities Master Plan actively underway, the energy master plan has been completely absent. You can watch the moment it was pulled here: LINK. We are aligned with this concern and we are asking the board majority to bring it back to the table.
Principal Report: Joe Vidal, Thurston Middle School
Principal Vidal presented on the 8th Grade Capstone program. The work happening at Thurston is a testament to what student-centered leadership looks like in action. Students are doing meaningful, rigorous work that connects learning to the real world. Thurston has been named a 2026 California Distinguished School, specifically recognized as an achievement gap closer. Chronic absenteeism sits at 6.5 percent against a national average of 20 percent. Suspensions are at an all-time low of 1 percent. This is exactly what we want for every child in this district.
FUEL View: We celebrate Principal Vidal and the entire Thurston team on this well-deserved accomplishment.
LBUSD Environmental and Sustainability Education
Coordinator Gloria Harwood delivered one of the best presentations of the evening. LBUSD students are doing extraordinary work. The high school scored 85 percent on the comprehensive Green Ribbon application in its first year and accepted the state award last week. Students are competing in the SustainSoCal challenge, mapping beach trash with GIS technology in collaboration with Louisiana State University, and lobbying in Washington through the Citizens Climate Lobby. The FLOW program connects fire, land, ocean, and water to real civic action through every English class in January. 81 students in the Class of 2026 will graduate with the California State Seal of Civic Engagement on their diploma, up from 37 last year. It was great to hear from three LBHS students on the tremendous and meaningful experiences and work they are doing around sustainability.
FUEL View: We celebrate Gloria Harwood and every educator and student behind this work. The connection between art, climate, and civic advocacy is alive in our classrooms. This is exactly what we want our schools to produce.
What Is Happening in Closed Session
For the fifth consecutive meeting, an Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release item appeared in closed session. There was no report out of closed session.
February 26: Unscheduled performance evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass placed on the closed session agenda with no prior notice. No report out.
March 12: Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release. Only report out was the routine release of temporary employees.
March 26: Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release. No report out.
April 9: Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release. No report out. Board Member Kelly asked President Morgan directly why this item keeps appearing. President Morgan stated she thought it had always been on there. Board Member Malczewski corrected the record on the dais, confirming the item was placed intentionally and that a discussion had taken place.
April 16: Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release. No report out. Again.
Despite that correction being made on the public record, the item returned to the agenda last week without explanation.
FUEL View: Five consecutive meetings. No transparency. We are concerned this pattern reflects board majority conversations about staff that are being shielded from public view. Our community deserves to know what is being decided behind closed doors.
Board President Morgan: A Notable Silence
The district's Staff Listening Session report was released this week through a Public Records Act request and posted to the district website the day of this meeting. Community members submitted written comments addressing it. It was available for every board member to read and acknowledge. Here is a link to the report: LINK
Board President Morgan has had multiple opportunities to address the findings in this report. She could have raised it in her board member report. She could have added it to the agenda. She did neither. Again, at the meeting, she said nothing.
The report documents what staff told their own leadership, in sessions Morgan attended and convened: governance dysfunction is the single greatest barrier to doing their jobs. Staff described fear of retaliation, erosion of trust, and a board majority whose conduct reaches into classrooms and affects our children every single day.
Our staff deserve to be treated with respect by every member of this board. We are asking the board majority specifically to not only acknowledge what is in that report, but to come back to this community with a real plan to correct it.
FUEL View: Staff spoke clearly, on the record, in good faith, in a process the president initiated and directed. The least this board president owes them is acknowledgment. That silence is its own answer.
We Need to Address What Else Happened
Before the board meeting, a Substack publication hiding under an anonymous name that has several social media channels followed and supported by Board Majority Members and Sensible Laguna Members posted an article about FUEL President Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal. At the end of that article was an AI-generated image depicting her holding an ax, covered in blood.
This is not political commentary. This is targeted, violent, racialized imagery directed at a named member of our community. It has no place in Laguna Beach. Period.
Shaheen addressed it directly during public comment. Her words deserve to be shared in full. LINK
“There is a piece circulating in this community right now that goes well beyond critique. It is personal, demeaning, and trades in tropes that women, especially women of color, are expected to absorb if they choose to lead.
This image was created and circulated by individuals aligned with the current board majority. It is an AI-generated depiction of me holding an axe covered in blood.
Let us not pretend this exists in a vacuum.
This is the environment surrounding this Board. And whether it is authored directly or amplified indirectly, it reflects on leadership.
I also want to acknowledge something else. There are people in this community, my community, who are hurting tonight. Not because of politics, but because of what this kind of discourse says about who belongs and how we are allowed to show up. I see you, and I am grateful for you.
We are not going to shrink in response to it. We are going to keep showing up, keep asking hard questions, and keep insisting on better, for our schools and for each other.
Because that is what leadership actually looks like.”
We stand with Shaheen and commend her message and leadership following this reprehensible act. We do not believe this behavior is indicative of our larger Laguna Beach community and we hope to see this addressed appropriately.
Join Us
Visit our website: www.FUELLaguna.org
Follow along on Social Media
Instagram: @FUELLaguna
Facebook: @FUELLaguna
Reach out to board@fuellaguna.org with questions, connections, or to grab a coffee!
Thank you for your support!
April 9 LBUSD Board Meeting Recap
Our recap of the April 9 LBUSD board meeting is live. This meeting included a fourth consecutive closed session with an Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release item and no report out, continued discussion of the district communications plan, a staffing update, and encouraging community bond survey results. Read the full recap and stay informed.
Dear FUEL Community,
Our schools belong to our students, our staff, and this community. Last night's board meeting made us more certain of that than ever, and more committed to making sure everyone in Laguna Beach understands what is at stake. Watch the full meeting HERE.
Upcoming
Next LBUSD Board Meeting - Governance Session - Thursday, April 16 at Thurston Middle School | Closed Session 4:00 p.m. | Open Session 6:00 p.m.
FUEL at the Laguna Beach Farmers Market | Saturday April 18 | 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Come say hello, grab some treats, and bring a neighbor! Volunteer to join the FUEL team and share our message: LINK
One District, One Community Rally - Thursday, April 16 | 4:00 p.m. LBUSD District Lot | March to Main Beach - Come stand in solidarity with our LBUSD staff and community. Please see information and flyer below.
What Is Happening in Consecutive 2-Hour Closed Sessions
We have raised this before. We are raising it again, because the pattern has continued in four consecutive meetings and last night something new happened that the public record now reflects.
Here is the documented sequence:
February 26, 2026 — Board Governance Meeting: An unscheduled performance evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass appeared on the closed session agenda under Government Code 54957. When the board returned to open session, Board President Morgan stated: "We have no report out of closed session." No action was reported. No information was disclosed.
March 12, 2026 — Regular Board Meeting: An Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release item appeared on the closed session agenda. The only report out of closed session: took action to release temporary certificated employees.
March 26, 2026 — Regular Board Meeting: Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release appeared again. No report out.
April 9, 2026 — Regular Board Meeting: Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release appeared for a third consecutive regular meeting. No report out.
During public comment on non-agenda items, multiple community members raised concern about the recurring Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release item appearing in closed session with no report out and no explanation. Public comment is how our community speaks directly to its elected representatives, and last night they used it. Board Member Dr. Kelly then asked Board President Morgan directly to explain why she wanted the item on every agenda. President Morgan stated she thought it had always been on there. Board Member Dr. Malczewski corrected the record, confirming the item was placed on the agenda and that a discussion had taken place. For the fourth consecutive time, our community still does not know what is being discussed or decided behind closed doors.
FUEL's View: Closed session exists for specific legal purposes. It is a protection for sensitive information, not a tool to avoid transparent governance. The California Brown Act requires that any action taken in closed session be reported out to the public. The pattern we are documenting, a recurring employee discipline item with no report out, an unscheduled superintendent evaluation outside the established process, and a board member making an inaccurate statement from the dais that required correction by a colleague, raises serious concerns that warrant public scrutiny.
District Communications Plan
This item came back to the board last night as a continuation of a discussion that has been building since January, when Board President Morgan, acting alone without full board authority, directed the district communications office toward immediate implementation of a new approach centered on board visibility rather than community service. That action raised legitimate concerns about the appropriate role of a board president in district operations.
Last night offered a clear contrast. Director of Communications and Engagement Anakaren presented a plan that is comprehensive, multi-channel, and genuinely focused on reaching and hearing from all stakeholders. She is working with Dr. Glass on an update to the communications plan, which is completely normal given that our superintendent arrived in July and is now appropriately leading that work. This is how it should function.
What we observed from the board majority was something different. Board President Morgan directed questions at staff from the dais, was openly critical of the communications team in a public setting, and inserted herself into operational decisions that belong to the superintendent.
Board Member Hills offered his own framing of what the district is and who it serves. His words are worth reading directly:
"The communications office is an instrumentality of the board. And if you were to try to define what the district is, the district is the board." We encourage you to watch the full exchange at 02:43:00.
FUEL's View: We see it differently. The district exists for its students. The communications office exists to serve families and the community. The superintendent is the CEO of this organization and its operations are his to lead. A board member's role is governance and policy, not operational control of staff. When a board member states from the dais that the “district is the board”, that is a fundamental misunderstanding about public education, what the role of the school board is in that system, and whom public education serves. We will continue to stand behind our excellence in our staff and their commitments to keeping students at the center of their work.
Community Bond Survey: Good News Worth Celebrating
The community has spoken and the data is encouraging. A March 2026 survey of likely Laguna Beach voters showed 59% initial support for an $83 million existing bond extension measure, already above the 55% threshold required for passage. When voters learned the measure would extend rather than increase the existing tax rate, support jumped to 67%. Final support after exposure to both positive and opposition arguments held at 64%.
Voters identified modern labs and career technical facilities, infrastructure repairs, updated technology, and hazardous materials removal as their top priorities. Our schools need these investments and our community is ready to make them.
FUEL's View: We are grateful to True North for a comprehensive and encouraging presentation. Our community is ready to approve a once in a generation opportunity to fund the success of the next 20 years of students coming through our amazing schools. We encourage the board to allow the democratic process to unfold and move forward and put this measure on the November 2026 ballot. Let the voters decide!
Staffing Update
District staff presented a detailed report on average class sizes across LBUSD and comparable districts. The data confirmed what our community already knows and values: our class sizes are small, our staffing is strong, and that directly translates into better student outcomes every single day. We are encouraged that all board members expressed support for maintaining current staffing levels and keeping class sizes small.
What gave us pause was how the discussion unfolded. Board President Morgan asked questions from the dais about personnel decisions, including which staff members might be considering retirement. These are not questions that belong at a board meeting. They create uncertainty and concern among the very people we are counting on to show up for our kids every day.
FUEL's View: We are glad the board is aligned on the value of small class sizes. We trust our educators and our district leadership to manage staffing well. That work does not need to happen from the dais. The public comments during this item were very compelling and worth watching HERE.
One District. One Community. Show Up on April 16!
When the teachers, classified staff, and employees who show up every day for our children feel strongly enough to organize a community march, that is a moment worth showing up for.
LaBUFA and CSEA are leading this rally and they are asking our community to walk with them. This is not a political event. It is a community standing together for its students and its schools.
One District, One Community Rally
Thursday, April 16 | 4:00 p.m. | District Lot, 550 Blumont Street
Join Us
Come say hello, grab some treats, and bring a neighbor! Volunteer to join the FUEL team and share our message: LINK
Follow along on Social Media
Instagram: @FUELLaguna
Facebook: @FUELLaguna
Reach out to board@fuellaguna.org with questions, connections, or to grab a coffee!
Thank you for your support!
See all Latest News HERE | FUEL | Families Unified for Education in Laguna | 501(c)(4) community advocacy | FUELLaguna.org
LBUSD Board Meeting Recap: March 26 + April 9 Preview | FUEL Laguna
The March 26 LBUSD board meeting covered restorative practices, student wellbeing data, and a district communications plan that reflects strong staff work. El Morro Elementary showed remarkable student growth. Tonight, April 9, the board takes up a community bond survey, staffing and class sizes, and a governance committee review. FUEL breaks it all down.
This is FUEL's recap of the March 26 LBUSD school board meeting and a preview of tonight's April 9 meeting. FUEL attends every Laguna Beach Unified School District board meeting and publishes detailed recaps to keep the Laguna Beach community informed.
Dear FUEL Community,
Thank you for continuing to show up, stay informed, and share our work with your neighbors. Every board meeting matters, and so does every person who takes the time to read these recaps, meeting agenda emails, and support our work.
Scroll down for an important recap on the March 26 LBUSD Board Meeting. Watch the full meeting HERE. But first, here is what is on deck at tonight’s LBUSD Board Meeting:
TONIGHT - Thursday, April 9 at Thurston Middle School | Open Session 6:00 p.m. | Agenda | Link to Public Comment | Link to Watch. Please show up, watch live, or submit public comments.
Closed Session - Item 3C - Once again, the board will convene in closed session with an Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release item on the agenda under Government Code § 54957. This will be the third consecutive meeting with this item along with the February 26 Superintendent Evaluation. As we have noted before, the law requires that actions taken in closed session be reported out to the public. We will be watching closely and we continue to expect transparency. Our community deserves to know what is being decided behind closed doors.
Presentation by Tim McLarney, True North, and Discussion of Community Bond Survey Results - Item 6A - The community has spoken and the feedback is positive. Survey results show that Laguna Beach residents are ready to support a bond measure that will benefit LBUSD students for generations to come. This is exactly the kind of civic investment our schools need, and our neighbors are telling us they are willing to make it. The board should feel the weight of that trust and respond accordingly by moving forward and putting this measure on the ballot. Let Laguna Beach residents and stakeholders use their voice and their vote.
District Communications Plan Continued - Item 7A - The communications plan returns for continued board discussion. As we note below, this work is strong and the team behind it deserves credit.
Staffing and Class Sizes Update - Item 8A - LBUSD is an elite school district, and part of what makes it exceptional is the quality and dedication of our staff and the learning environments they create every day for students with a wide range of needs. Small class sizes are valued. They are part of what makes this district so special. We trust our educators, we value their expertise, and we ask the board to protect the conditions that allow them to do their best work for every single student.
Governance Committee Review - Item 9A - The Ad Hoc Governance Committee was established with a clear and limited scope: review bylaws and policies for alignment with best practices. It was never meant to direct staff, negotiate language, or operate outside those boundaries. Tonight the board will revisit the committee's charge and membership, and that conversation is worth watching closely. Our concern is straightforward. A governance committee only works when the full board is functioning as one. That has not been the case. We will be paying attention to whether tonight's discussion moves this body toward greater cohesion and shared purpose, or further from it.
A Note at the Outset
The March 26 meeting started with President Morgan issuing a correction to a statement she made at the March 12 meeting. She had incorrectly indicated the board could move to closed session to restore order. She clarified the correct procedure is to clear the room if necessary, per Board Policy 9323. She then outlined behavioral expectations for attendees.
We also note that district legal counsel Jonathan Pearl (or another designee) is now present at every regular board meeting. We are noting this as a procedural change to how our meetings are being conducted.
Restorative Practices and the Healthy Kids Survey
Dr. Keller led this presentation, supported by Dr. Glass, walking the board through the district's approach to restorative practices and student wellbeing. He previously presented a similar presentation in the Fall. The data tells a strong story. LBUSD has achieved some of its lowest suspension rates on record. The framework in place ensures that every disciplinary situation is handled with a structured process designed to help students learn, repair relationships, and stay connected to school.
The Healthy Kids Survey data offered additional insight into how students across the district are feeling about their school experience. This is the kind of student-centered, evidence-based work that reflects well on our principals, teachers, and site staff. The work being done on our school campuses every single day is exceptional, and this presentation made that visible.
The board discussion was lengthy and covered ground that was already presented at the October board meeting.
FUEL's View: Dr. Keller and Dr. Glass presented thorough, well-supported work. The systems in place to support our students are working. We encourage the board to trust that data and move forward.
El Morro Principal Report: Dr. Julie Hatchel
Dr. Hatchel shared El Morro's mid-year progress and the results were remarkable. Students showed 26% growth in both English language arts and math on iReady assessments, nearly double what is considered strong growth. The school's student satisfaction score sits at 50, ten points above the excellent threshold. Over 60% of students are participating in the after-school program run through SchoolPower. El Morro is also in the running for a Gold Star School designation from the National Association of Elementary School Principals, with an announcement expected in May.
FUEL's View: The work happening at El Morro is a testament to what dedicated, student-centered leadership looks like. We celebrate Dr. Hatchel and her entire team.
District Communications Plan
Communications Manager Anakaren delivered a thorough presentation on the district communications plan, reflecting significant staff work to make information accessible across all platforms and community needs. It is clear this plan is comprehensive and constantly adjusting to the needs of students, their families, and the community. Discussion was tabled and will continue at the April 9 meeting.
FUEL's View: We commend Anakaren and the communications team for the quality of this work. The families of students currently enrolled in LBUSD are the district's most important audience. We ask that ensuring they have timely, relevant information about their children and the work happening in our schools remains the priority.
Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
After four months of advocacy by FUEL and community members, President Morgan has placed 20 minutes of Public Comment on Non-Agenda items at the start of the past two meetings and has ensured that student voices are prioritized during that time. Speakers not heard in the first 20 minutes will have another opportunity at the end of the meeting. This is progress. Public comment is one of the most important ways community members can speak directly to their elected representatives. It needs to be protected, valued, and made as accessible as possible.
Closed Session
Once again, there was no report out of closed session, which included for the third meeting in a row, an item on Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release - Government Code § 54957. As we noted in our last newsletter, our concern remains. Not only is it a legal requirement for actions taken in closed session to be reported out to the community but our community deserves to know what is being discussed and decided in those portions of our board meetings. We will keep asking for that transparency.
LBUSD Celebration of the Arts
All four school sites will be represented in the annual Celebration of the Arts at Laguna Beach High School on April 14, 2026 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. We hope to see you there. LBUSD Celebration of the Arts.
Support FUEL
Join Us at the Farmers Market - Saturday, April 18
Come say hello, grab some treats, and bring a neighbor!
Volunteer to join the FUEL team and share our message: LINK
Attend in person at the Thurston Middle School Library. Open Session begins at 6:00 p.m. - Join us in the room to see what occurs in our school board hearings. Help us be there and witness what occurs in full from the dias.
Follow along on Social Media
Instagram: @FUELLaguna
Facebook: @FUELLaguna
Reach out to board@fuellaguna.org with questions, connections, or to grab a coffee!
Thank you for your support!
See all Latest News HERE | FUEL | Families Unified for Education in Laguna | 501(c)(4) community advocacy | FUELLaguna.org
March 12 Board Meeting Recap: FUEL's Perspective and What You Need to Know
The March 12 board meeting brought student voices, a union president in tears, a financial health update, and serious questions about how district communications are being directed. FUEL breaks it all down and shares what it means for our community.
Dear FUEL Community,
Thank you for being here. The conversations happening across our community, at school pickup, in neighborhoods, and in packed board meeting rooms, are exactly what this moment calls for. We are grateful for every one of you who is showing up and staying informed.
The next LBUSD Regular Board Meeting is Thursday, March 26. Open session begins at 6:00 p.m. at Thurston Middle School Library, 2100 Park Avenue.
March 12 Regular Board Meeting: Recap
Student Public Comment
Board President Morgan, with the support of Members Kelly, Malczewski, and Perry, made a single-meeting motion to allow students to comment on non-agenda items at the start of open session. Students from Laguna Beach High School filled the room and spoke clearly, with conviction, and from the heart. They addressed the graduation venue decision, the student survey that gave them a voice, accessibility concerns for families, and what it means to feel genuinely heard by the people elected to serve them. Several noted that two out of three community data points support keeping graduation at Guyer Field. One student pointed out that a petition gathered within the school community topped 1,000 signatures in less than two weeks.
What stayed with us was not just what they said but how they carried themselves. These students were calm, informed, and deeply thoughtful. Many of them will be voting in November. They are paying attention. President Morgan and Dr. Glass have committed to planning a meaningful experience for the Class of 2026 at the Irvine Bowl. The venue decision will not return to the board agenda.
FUEL's View: We are proud of every student who stood at that microphone and those who supported their peers. They represent the very best of what this school district produces. They continue to show up, speak up, and lead. We commend them.
Board Member Reports: Logan Marshall and Ivy Dabbs
During board member reports, both student representatives addressed accusations by President Morgan that their views are not their own and that they are coached by FUEL on what to say.
FUEL's View: FUEL does not coach, direct, or coordinate with Logan or Ivy in any way. Their voices are entirely their own. We commend them without reservation. President Morgan bears responsibility for the actions taken and the environment created as a leader. The inability to take accountability and foster trust with student leadership is deeply disheartening.
Please see Ivy and Logan's full comments at the board meeting here.
Thurston Named a California Distinguished School
Thurston Middle School was recognized as a 2026 California Distinguished School for its work closing achievement gaps for underserved students. Principal Vidal and the entire Thurston team earned this recognition through years of consistent, student-centered work.
FUEL's View: Congratulations to the Thurston community. This is exactly what a well-supported school, dedicated staff, and a strong leader can achieve. We celebrate this wholeheartedly.
Board Member Reports: Member Malczewski on the District Communication Plan
Member Malczewski raised a significant concern about a district communication plan developed under the direction of Board President Morgan. As described, the plan heavily emphasizes board visibility, including board member profiles, rapid amplification of board decisions, and board-focused publications. Member Malczewski was direct: district communications exist to serve students, families, and the educational mission, not to elevate the public profile of the board. She also noted that no individual board member has the authority to develop district strategy independently.
The revised district communications plan was not placed on any board agenda and the community had no prior notice of its contents. There have been no official changes to board policy around communications, and there is very little clarity on why this plan is being driven by the board president rather than through the superintendent and established governance process.
FUEL's View: We share these concerns. Board members are bound by bylaws, and the superintendent manages district operations including communications strategy. We are researching what communication policies look like in comparable districts and will share what we find. Our community deserves to know how public resources and staff time are being directed.
Closed Session
The board reported action taken in closed session to release temporary certificated employees effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year. This is a standard annual action. A unanimous 5-0 vote was reported.
FUEL's View: This is routine. We note it here for completeness and transparency.
Labor Negotiations
Both LaBUFA and CSEA reported positively on the first negotiating session with the district. LaBUFA noted that newer team members walked away pleasantly surprised, describing thoughtful collaboration and genuine problem solving. CSEA echoed the constructive tone. That positive report made what came later in the evening even more difficult to hear.
During public comment, LaBUFA Union President Scott Wittkop spoke vulnerably and tearfully about how the current board dysfunction, for the first time in all his years at the district, is driving him to look for a new job. Watch his remarks here.
FUEL's View: The contrast between a productive first negotiating session and a union president in tears at the same meeting tells the full story of where our district stands right now. Good faith at the table matters. So does what happens everywhere else. Our teachers and staff are not abstract stakeholders. They are the people who show up every single day for our children, and they are telling us they are struggling. There is a real human cost to all of this. We continue to stand with our staff.
Financial Health Report
The board approved the 2025-26 Second Interim Financial Report with a positive certification. The district is expected to meet its financial obligations for this year and the next two. The district CBO was transparent about the road ahead: the pool modernization project will draw down reserves over the next 18 months, and the recommendation is to hold on adding new programs until the district returns to surplus. The $11 million interfund transfer to fund the pool project passed 5-0.
FUEL's View: The district is in a sound financial position and we are glad the full picture was communicated clearly. Fiscal transparency is good governance, and district staff continues to work diligently to keep LBUSD on a path of success and fiscal responsibility.
The Words We Want to Leave You With
FUEL President Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal set an important and needed tone during public comment. She reminded the room that public schools are funded through property taxes because education is a core public good, something communities invest in together so all children have access to learning and opportunity. She said the way to honor that investment is not by invoking how much money the community contributes. The way to honor it is by delivering what people are actually paying for: an exceptional public education system. And she said this clearly: our students are not beneficiaries of charity from adults in this town. They are the reason the system exists.
That is the frame through which FUEL looks at every board decision. Is this serving the students? Is this supporting the people who show up every day to educate them?
Please see Shaheen's full public comment here.
A Note on Public Comment
Despite hundreds of written and in-person requests, and Member Kelly's repeated motions to move public comment on non-agenda items to the beginning of meetings, it remains at the end. Community members, parents, teachers, and students continue to wait until late in the evening simply to speak to their elected officials. We will keep asking for this to change.
Our Community Is Growing
At the March 12 meeting, we were moved to see Laguna Beach parents speaking powerfully about what they are witnessing and stepping forward to join our community. That is what FUEL is built on. If you have been watching from the sidelines and feel ready to connect, we would love to hear from you. Whether you want to attend a meeting, get more involved, or simply stay informed, there is a place for you here. We are stronger together, and our shared goal is simple: prioritize our students and their experience in Laguna Beach schools.
Reach out at Board@FUELLaguna.org or visit FUELLaguna.org to learn more.
How to Support FUEL:
Attend a School Board Meeting in person: Thurston Middle School Library, 2100 Park Avenue. Open session at 6:00 p.m.
Invite a friend into the FUEL tent: Grab a coffee or take a walk with a neighbor and tell them about the school board and FUEL's work. Remind them to get ready for November.
FUEL, Families Unified for Education in Laguna, was formed by Laguna Beach parents who witnessed conduct at the December 2024 board meeting that raised serious concerns about governance, tone, and accountability. We came together to provide an organized, informed, and fact-based parent voice in our district.
Our mission is to champion student success and elevate our school district to the highest standard of excellence. We track board actions, explain decisions clearly, and share accurate information so our community understands what is happening in our schools. We are parents, grandparents, educators, neighbors, and residents. We welcome conversation and community engagement.
FUEL | Families Unified for Education in Laguna | 501(c)(4) community advocacy | FUELLaguna.org