Published Letter to the Editor by Newth Morris (father of three) FUEL Laguna Board Member.

In the run-up to and since the last election, a few loud voices have blamed Superintendent Jason Viloria for Laguna Beach Unified School District’s (LBUSD) decline, citing Laguna Beach High School’s (LBHS) U.S. News rankings drop from 38th in California in 2012 to 211th in 2024 (173 positions). Their claims mislead. This slide, spanning Viloria’s tenure (2016-2024), reflects changes in how rankings are calculated, not local failure.

Published Letter to the Editor by Newth Morris (father of three) FUEL Laguna Board Member. -

One more point, at various times I have heard citizens question why we would invest anything in the schools since our population is declining. I find this profoundly nihilistic and depressing – to suggest we should all just sit back and watch the town die. Moreover, it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy as families will no longer move into town for our amazing schools. As houses turnover, they will be bought by out-of-town people who have no connection to the vibrant heart of our community resulting in a place that is dead nine months out of the year.

We are endowed with an immense natural, cultural and historical legacy which we should all endeavor to preserve.

Newth Morris (proud father of three kids in the district)

FUEL Laguna Board Member

Published Letter to the Editor by Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal, President, FUEL Laguna Beach

Elections have consequences, and this one served as a wake-up call. Now, a broad coalition of passionate, capable and vigilant community members is paying attention and is ready to take necessary action. We refuse to dwell on the past—we are focused on the future for our children and the generations to come.

Our schools deserve better. Our children deserve better. And we are here to ensure they get it.

Published Letter to the Editor by Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal, President, FUEL Laguna Beach

The Laguna Beach Unified School District has a history of excellence—built through years of thoughtful leadership, dedicated educators and a community deeply invested in student success. We are looking for a superintendent who will embrace and advance the mission of this district: to ensure that each student gains the knowledge, experience, world perspectives, and skills needed to become a lifelong learner and producer in a competitive and interconnected world.

To potential candidates, know that you will be stepping into a district with engaged, passionate, and supportive families who believe in our district’s vision: We take ownership of each child’s learning in our schools, accepting no limits on potential. Parents and community members have come together to form Families Unified for Education in Laguna, a non-partisan 501(c)(4) with the primary purpose of promoting and advocating for a collaborative, transparent, and student-focused education system of the Laguna Beach Unified School District.  Put in the context of a Sup search, we are dedicated to ensuring that this process—and the leadership that emerges from it—keeps students at the center of every decision. We see ourselves not as adversaries but as partners in this work, ready to support the next superintendent in building on the district’s strengths and ensuring that our schools continue to thrive.

The students of this district deserve greatness. They deserve a leader who believes in their limitless potential and will champion their success. We are committed to working alongside the board, the search firm, and the future superintendent to make sure that happens.

The FUEL Board: Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal, Iva Pawling, Newth Morris, Claudia Morris, Emily Rolfing, Matt Gummow, Danielle Roedersheimer, Julie Gersten and Meredith McMahon

Published Letter to the Editor by Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal, FUEL President, Laguna Beach

Mr. Hills, it’s time to take a cue from Silent Money. Instead of clinging to policies and undermining staff, get quiet. Observe the extraordinary work that dedicated professionals have accomplished to date. Celebrate their success. Then, simply ask, “How can I help you take this to the next level?”

Laguna Beach students deserve a school board that fosters progress—not one bogged down in distractions.

The Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) is moving forward with plans to reconstruct the pool at Laguna Beach High School (LBHS). As part of the approval process, the district must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to evaluate potential environmental impacts and ensure the project is designed responsibly.

Following an Initial Study, the district determined that all potential environmental impacts—such as noise, lighting, and water use—can be fully mitigated, allowing them to prepare a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) rather than a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The public comment period for submitting written comments on the MND has now closed, and the district is holding a public hearing to decide whether to formally adopt the document and move the project forward.