Laguna Beach board approves Don Austin as superintendent after heated debate over process and disclosure

The Laguna Beach Unified School District board voted 3-2 on June 4 to approve a four‑year employment agreement for Dr. Don Austin to serve as superintendent, setting an annual base salary of $450,000 and an effective start date of July 1, 2026.

Board discussion before the vote focused on whether the district’s board policy 2120 — which lays out a superintendent search process — and state open‑meeting rules were applicable to the appointment. Dr. Malczewski said the policy exists to "protect against bias" and asked who decided that the policy would not apply; other trustees said the candidate had been vetted recently and that repeating a year‑long search would be fiscally imprudent. Board counsel warned that waiving confidentiality or disclosing personnel interview records had not been agendized and recommended tabling any attempt to force a disclosure.

Public commenters urged more transparency and fresh vetting before finalizing a hire. One parent said the community had been asked to "trust without being included;" another urged the board to "slow down and conduct a thorough vetting of Dr. Austin," pointing to public reports from his time in Palo Alto and asking that the district review recent information before final action. Leslie Elliot disputed online claims that protesters at an earlier meeting had assaulted the clerk, saying videos do not show physical contact.

The employment agreement summarized in open session described a four‑year term, a 12‑month assignment with 224 work days, no automatic salary steps, district‑provided benefits and a 4% district contribution to a tax‑sheltered annuity. The board recorded the roll call vote approving the contract as 3 in favor and 2 opposed.

After the vote, Dr. Austin addressed the meeting and said he is “looking forward to coming back to a place that I loved,” adding, “This isn’t a job for me. This is not a job. This one is a calling.” President Morgan noted the contract allows Dr. Austin to participate in transition activities with board members and stakeholders prior to July 1, and the board plans a visioning session before August 21, 2026 to set priorities and expectations.

Separately, the board approved an interim employment agreement for Manoj Roychowdhury earlier in the meeting by a 5‑0 roll call; those terms include a retroactive per‑diem in addition to his assistant superintendent salary and automatic termination of the interim assignment once a new superintendent assumes the role.

Next steps: Trustees indicated they will not pursue an immediate, unagendized disclosure of prior search interviews; counsel advised that any move to waive confidentiality should be agendized and handled with legal guidance. The contract documents are draft until finalized; the board said a closed‑session review of the contract took place earlier in the evening and that any final signed contract will be made available in accordance with law.