Parents, students and alumni urge board to reinstate Buena Park aquatics coach amid administrative leave

Dozens of parents, students and alumni addressed the Fullerton Joint Union High School District board urging reinstatement of Buena Park aquatics coach Shane LaFortune after he was placed on administrative leave.

At public comment, several speakers described LaFortune as a mentor and credited him with program successes, including a CIF championship and helping students secure college opportunities. Alicia Contreras said, "We were notified that Shane is currently on an administrative leave, as of this afternoon," and reported more than 150 petition signatures gathered in under 24 hours. Former players and alumni told the board they view LaFortune as a stabilizing presence who supported students academically and emotionally.

Student speakers and alumni recounted personal impacts. Brandon Avalos, a junior in Buena Park’s aquatic STEAM program, said LaFortune "treated the aquatics program not only as a team, but as a family," and described a team culture he said would be damaged if the coach were removed. Kamali Atoi, speaking on behalf of Buena Park Aquatics alumni, said the decision to ask LaFortune to "step back" was "unjust" and urged the board to hear the community's concerns.

Parents reported confusion over the reason for the leave and asked the district to investigate the circumstances and provide clarity. Alicia Contreras said multiple explanations had circulated but that boosters and parents had not seen missing funds tied to the coach; she asked the board to "look through others in our district" before drawing conclusions and urged an equitable review.

Board members did not take action on personnel matters during the meeting; the board president reminded speakers that non-agenda items cannot be acted on at the meeting but encouraged those with documentation to leave materials for staff to distribute. Superintendent McLaughlin asked for any additional materials to be left at the dais so board members could review them.

The public comments segment was limited by the board’s standard 3-minute per-person rule; speakers pressed the board for follow-up and more transparency. No motion or formal board action about the coach’s employment status was made during the meeting.

What happens next: District staff told speakers they would accept petitions and documentation and follow up; the board did not announce a timeline for an investigation or a personnel decision.