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Parents and staff urge Laguna Beach school board to preserve superintendent as trustees move to closed session
Summary
Dozens of parents and community members told the Laguna Beach Unified School District board on May 12 that repeated closed sessions risk destabilizing Superintendent Dr. Glass; the board adjourned into closed session to discuss personnel matters under Government Code 54957.
Members of the Laguna Beach community urged the Laguna Beach Unified School District board on May 12 to preserve stability for Superintendent Dr. Glass and criticized repeated, late-notice closed sessions before the board adjourned into closed session to discuss personnel.
At the public-comment period, Eva Polling, identified as a parent, said the community "no longer expects any kind of restraint from member Morgan or Hills" and accused those trustees of operating through "personal agendas, old grievances, political score settling" rather than offering a vision for the district. Polling warned that if the board takes further action that "destabilizes this district, this entire community will hold you personally accountable."
Other speakers echoed concerns about secrecy and the potential termination of the superintendent. Megan Rhymer, who said she is a parent of children in the district, said she "almost didn't come today because it seemed so unbelievable... that the board could be considering terminating Dr. Glass's contract" after multiple closed sessions. A speaker introduced as John, a father of three, told Member Perry that if he is "powerless to stop things that you know would...damage our district," he should resign.
Gary Kasich urged trustees to protect confidentiality, saying leaked communications were "disturbing" and that "confidences need to be respected" as the board prepared to go into closed session. Meredith McMahon used satire to criticize the board's opacity and said "staff morale has suffered" and "families have been frustrated" by repeated closed-door actions. Lauren Underterberger called the board's treatment of Dr. Glass "barbaric, petty, and cruel" and urged trustees to "prove me wrong" by choosing stability for students and staff.
After public comment, a motion to adopt the agenda was made and seconded; the board voted "all in favor" to adopt the agenda. The board then moved, seconded, and voted to adjourn to closed session to discuss "employment dismissal, discipline, dismissal release" under Government Code 54957. The meeting record shows the board removed microphones and closed the public meeting to discuss personnel matters.
No public action on the superintendent's contract was recorded in the public portion of the meeting; the record shows only that the board entered closed session under Government Code 54957. The public-comment speakers asked the board to consider the long-term effects of any personnel decision on students, staff and the district's reputation.
The board scheduled a budget study session at 3:30 p.m. following the closed session; the transcript does not record any subsequent public vote or decision about the superintendent.
