Laguna Beach School Board Meeting - February 26, 2026 (Closed Session)

February 26, 2026

Executive Summary

- The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education held a procedurally contentious meeting on February 26, 2026, marked by significant disputes over agenda management and public comment timing. - The board approved combining agenda items 6A through F (board policies 1445, 0450, 1340, 5125, 5125.1, and adoption of California Department of Justice Know Your Educational Rights guide) with a 5-0 vote to facilitate compliance by March 1st. - A motion to move non-agenda items to after item 3 failed 3-2, maintaining the previous decision to address student-facing items before non-agenda public comments. - The board approved moving public comment on item 7 (governance presentation) to before the presentation with a 3-2 vote (Kelly and Malcheski opposing) to provide context before comments. - Seven community members provided passionate public comments in support of Superintendent Dr. Glass before the closed session, expressing concerns about a second performance review occurring just 10 weeks after a 100-day feedback session. - Public speakers overwhelmingly criticized board majority conduct as unprofessional and destabilizing, with multiple parents, teachers, and community membe

Key Decisions

- Approved combining items 6A through F (board policies and educational rights guide) with a 5-0 vote to facilitate March 1st compliance deadline. - Failed motion to move non-agenda items to after item 3, with a 3-2 vote (Kelly, Malcheski, Morgan yes; Hills, Perry no). - Approved moving public comment on item 7A-C (governance presentation) to before the presentation with a 3-2 vote (Hills, Perry, Morgan yes; Kelly, Malcheski no). - Approved the agenda as modified with combined items and moved public comment, with a 3-2 vote (Hills, Perry, Morgan yes; Kelly, Malcheski no). - Voted 5-0 to adjour