A nearly five-hour board meeting left FUEL deeply concerned for students, staff, and the future of LBUSD. Staff surveys showed 87 to 97 percent of teachers and support staff do not feel supported by this board and have voted no confidence in its leadership. The board's response was a single dismissive comment. Two positive steps did emerge: Acting Superintendent Jeff Dixon's contract was approved, and next year's curriculum review timeline will start earlier.

FUEL Laguna Beach has outlined what the community is looking for in the next LBUSD superintendent. We are seeking a dynamic, experienced California-based leader committed to long-term service, community engagement, and putting the whole student first. We believe the right leader will embrace this district's extraordinary foundation and build on it.

FUEL Board Member Jeff Roedersheimer published a letter to the editor with a simple message for the Laguna Beach community: listen to the people who have shown up for our kids year after year. Not the ones who only got loud when a community facility renovation got close.

FUEL Board Member Newth Morris pushes back on claims that LBUSD has declined under Superintendent Jason Viloria, calling the U.S. News rankings argument misleading. The drop from 38th to 211th reflects changes in how rankings are calculated — not a failure of local leadership.

FUEL Board Member Newth Morris pushed back on the argument that declining enrollment is a reason to stop investing in Laguna Beach schools. Pulling back now would become a self-fulfilling prophecy — families will stop moving to Laguna Beach for our schools, and the community that makes this town extraordinary will quietly disappear.

FUEL President Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal published a letter to the editor following the recent election, calling on a broad coalition of Laguna Beach community members to stay vigilant and focused on the future. Our schools deserve better. Our children deserve better. And we are here to ensure they get it.

FUEL President Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal and the FUEL Board published a letter to the editor outlining what the Laguna Beach community is looking for in the next LBUSD superintendent. FUEL sees itself not as an adversary but as a partner in this work, ready to support the next superintendent in building on the district's strengths and ensuring our schools continue to thrive.

FUEL President Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal published a letter to the editor calling on Board Member Hills to step back from policy distractions and support the dedicated professionals serving Laguna Beach students. Laguna Beach students deserve a school board that fosters progress.

LBUSD is moving forward with the Laguna Beach High School pool reconstruction. Following an Initial Study, the district determined that all potential environmental impacts can be fully mitigated through a Mitigated Negative Declaration rather than a full Environmental Impact Report. The district is now holding a public hearing to decide whether to formally adopt the MND and advance the project.