Board reviews draft LCAP, hears budget concerns and approves staffing and election resolutions

Laguna Beach Unified School District staff presented the draft Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the proposed 2026-27 budget during the May 14 board meeting, then took public comment and fielded questions from trustees.

Assistant Superintendent Chad Mabry described the LCAP as a three-year roadmap aligned to the state's eight priorities and highlighted the districts three LCAP goals: college and career readiness, social-emotional development, and safe, equitable and inclusive schools. Mabry pointed to data the district tracks (attendance near 96%, suspension at about 1%, chronic absenteeism at 10%) and emphasized an ongoing focus on multi-tiered systems (MTSS), student voice structures, and career-technical education pathways.

The budget presentation explained a proposed revenue figure of roughly $94 million for 2026-27, a projected ending fund balance near $11 million, and an interfund transfer to the districts capital fund for the long-planned aquatic center. The budget presenter noted a gap of approximately $2 million remaining in pool funding pending state budget actions and reviewed a Fund 17 "basic-aid differential" target of about $49 million; the districts Fund 17 was projected near $24 million, leaving it below the policy target.

Public commenters raised specific concerns. Some questioned the proposed $200,000 (salary+benefits) arts coordinator position added to the LCAP and budget, calling it redundant with site-based VAPA staff; others urged the district to clarify how legal-fee increases and settlement costs have affected the operating budget. "Given these reserve levels, it's difficult to justify cuts to student-facing and employee support areas while increasing the legal budget," one commenter said during the budget hearing.

The board took two formal votes later in the meeting. Members approved a two-year, Medi-Cal-funded Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) position, a pilot expected to cost about $350,000 over two years and designed to provide direct and consultative supports for students with significant behavioral needs. The board also adopted Resolution No. 26-04 to order the November trustee election and coordinate with the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

On communications, district communications staff presented a strategic plan for 2026-27 that prioritized internal communications, elevating district programs, arts visibility, amplifying student voice, transparent governance communications, and strengthening the districts family-facing channels (including a new district family newsletter and a proposed State of the District event). The communications director cited baseline metrics showing high school- and school-level satisfaction but a gap between site satisfaction (about 89%) and district-level satisfaction (about 77%).

What the board did not do at this meeting: it did not produce a new public rationale for the superintendent separation that had driven much of the public comment; it moved several consent and procurement items to a later meeting (June 4) to allow for additional review and discussion.

The LCAP draft and budget remain in public hearing; staff said they will bring final proposals back for board action in June so the district can meet county and statutory timelines.