Superintendent praises staff response after tsunami warning; board discusses communication and evacuation trade-offs

During the superintendent’s monthly report, district leadership described actions taken after a Northern California earthquake triggered a tsunami warning that affected the South Coast.

The superintendent said administrators and staff moved students to higher ground at the middle and high schools, coordinated dismissal procedures and relied on on-site staff to manage students when many district leaders were off-site. He praised building leaders — including Joe, Tracy and John — and support staff for “pulling together” under pressure.

District leaders told the board that no earthquake was felt locally and there was no physical damage to students or buildings. They described anxious parents attempting to retrieve children and staff working to verify authorized pick-ups. The superintendent said district cameras and remote monitoring helped staff assess on-site conditions while some central administrators were out of the area.

Board members and staff discussed trade-offs in evacuation decisions: moving students to higher ground reduces perceived risk but requires crossing Broadway, a potentially hazardous route if power lines or other damage occur. The superintendent emphasized that each incident has variables and that the district will refine communication protocols. He noted existing emergency supplies and food reserves at schools and said staff are reviewing maps and procedures to reduce future confusion.

No formal actions or policy changes were adopted at the meeting; board members directed staff to continue after-action review and to bring any proposed protocol adjustments to a future work session or meeting.

The district expressed gratitude to staff and volunteers who managed student safety and parent communication during the warning.