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Parents and community members press Laguna Beach board for unity and transparency in superintendent hire
Summary
During public comment at the May 8 LBUSD board meeting, parents and PTA leaders urged the board to seek a unanimous (5-0) appointment for the next superintendent and raised concerns about board conduct at recent PTA and governance meetings; one community leader alleged an unlawful secret recording at a PTA meeting and said she has contacted police.
Public comment at the Laguna Beach Unified School District board meeting on May 8 focused heavily on governance and the upcoming superintendent selection. Multiple speakers — parents, PTA leaders and community members — urged the board to pursue a 5-0 vote for the next superintendent to demonstrate unity and rebuild trust.
Jennifer O'Rourke and Emily Rolfing described concerns about personal conduct and misinformation, saying board members should model emotional regulation and collaborative leadership. Kenneth Brown and multiple bargaining-unit representatives reinforced that unanimity would strengthen a superintendent's mandate and longevity.
Shaheen Shaikh Sadat, who identified herself as a parent, PTA leader and president of the nonprofit Fuel, alleged that board member Sherry Morgan secretly recorded her during an LVHS PTA meeting without consent and asserted California's two-party consent law may apply; Sadat said she has discussed the issue with the Laguna Beach Police Department and asked the district to investigate. The district did not resolve the allegation at the meeting.
Board members and staff responded in part by explaining the confidentiality needs around superintendent interviews and by describing that reports to the public will follow legal counsel's guidance once finalist selection and contract terms are complete. The board reiterated it will not disclose candidate identities until proper steps are finished.
The discussion underscores heightened public scrutiny of the board's conduct as it finishes a superintendent search and prepares finalist interviews scheduled for the coming Saturday.
