Laguna Beach School Board Meeting- October 22, 2026 (Open Session)

October 22, 2026

Executive Summary

- The Board approved 4-1 (Board Member Howard Hills dissenting) a collective bargaining agreement with LBUFA providing 3% total compensation (1% salary increase plus 2% health benefit cap increase), with a contingent additional 1% salary increase if property tax receipts reach 6% or 7%, following tentative agreements announced on August 27, 2026. - The Board voted 5-0 to approve a resolution transferring $4.5 million from Fund 17 (special reserve fund) to the general fund to settle an AB218 childhood sexual abuse civil case from 1977, leaving approximately $20 million in Fund 17, significantly below the aspirational goal of maintaining the differential between property tax revenues ($76 million) and LCFF funding ($27 million). - Board Member Howard Hills circulated an October 16th email featuring identifiable photographs and videos of middle school students from the May 14th demonstration, describing them as 'frenzied' and suggesting high school students need 'AI, recreational drugs, and tutoring to graduate,' prompting extensive public criticism from parents, teachers, and community members calling for censure under Board Bylaw 9323.3 for violations of Board Bylaw 9005 governance

Key Decisions

- Approved 4-1 (Member Hills dissenting) the LBUFA 2026-2029 successor collective bargaining agreement providing 3% total compensation (1% salary increase and 2% health benefit cap increase), with potential additional 1% salary increase contingent on property tax receipts reaching 6% or 7% - Approved 5-0 Resolution transferring $4.5 million from Fund 17 to the general fund to settle an AB218 civil case involving childhood sexual abuse from 1977 - Approved 5-0 as a block four board policies: Board Policy 1240 (Volunteer Assistance), Board Policy 5141.75 (Weather Safety), Board Policy 5125 (Stud