Laguna Beach School Board Special Closed Session May 14, 2026 (Closed Session)

May 14, 2026

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education held a special meeting on May 14, 2026, primarily to address superintendent appointments in closed session following the recent separation of Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass. - The board voted 5-0 to appoint Manoj Roy Chowdhury as interim superintendent effective immediately, with Board Member Howard Hills making the motion and Clerk Dee Perry seconding. - The board voted 3-2 to appoint Don Austin as superintendent effective July 1, 2026, with Board Member Howard Hills making the motion and Clerk Dee Perry seconding; Board Members Dr. Joan Malcheski and Dr. James Kelly opposed. - Both employment agreements will be formally considered and voted on during open session at the board's next regular meeting on June 4, 2026. - Public comment was highly contentious, with parent Samantha Savage Bright formally accusing the board of Brown Act violations, ADA Title II violations, and failing to acknowledge legal notices to cure and correct these violations. - Another parent speaker expressed heartbreak over the superintendent situation and urged the board to appoint an educator focused on students rather than politics. - The board e

Key Decisions

- Appointed Manoj Roy Chowdhury to serve as interim superintendent effective immediately (approved 5-0, motion by Board Member Howard Hills, seconded by Clerk Dee Perry). - Appointed Don Austin to serve as superintendent effective July 1, 2026 (approved 3-2, motion by Board Member Howard Hills, seconded by Clerk Dee Perry; Board Member Dr. Joan Malcheski and Board Member Dr. James Kelly opposed). - Both superintendent employment agreements will be agendized, considered, and voted on during open session at the board's regular meeting on June 4, 2026. - Approved moving closed session to the end