Board votes 5–0 to terminate Viloria contract without cause
Vote 5-0
At a closed-session meeting, the outgoing LBUSD Board of Education voted 5-0 to enter into a separation agreement with Superintendent Jason Viloria, Ed.D., terminating his contract effective December 31, 2024. The action was characterized as "without cause." According to the district press release, the board stated the decision was not based on performance, but in the district's best interests given anticipated changes in the governing board. No report-out was made in open session that night. Per a subsequent letter to the editor co-authored by George Weiss and Kate McMahon, Viloria's separation package was valued at $373,142.16 plus benefits and included continued access to district staff, business information, and financial authority for a period following his departure.
Citations (5)
- LBUSD Superintendent and Board Reach Separation Agreement primary Laguna Beach Unified School DistrictLaguna Beach Unified School District · 2024-11-22
The Board's decision to enter into this agreement was not based on Dr. Viloria's performance as his evaluations have consistently demonstrated exemplary results throughout his tenure. We have taken action to release him without cause as we believe it is in the best interests of the district, given anticipated changes in the governing board that may influence the direction and priorities of the district moving forward.
Statement attributed to then-Board President Jan Vickers.
- Laguna Beach Independent · 2024-11-26
- Letter: Contrasting views on former LBUSD Superintendent Jason Viloria's tenure op-ed Laguna Beach IndependentLaguna Beach Independent · Kate McMahon, George Weiss · 2025-03-14
His sudden, surprise separation agreement (at his request) included a package worth $373,142.16, plus benefits. Strangely, it also allowed him continued access to district staff, business information and financial authority after vacating his office.
- Laguna Beach Unified School District
LBUSD recording of the meeting; see /meetings/2025-09-25-regular for a transcript-derived summary.
- The LBUSD Governance Crisis: Defending Jason Viloria Amidst Financial Scandal and Legal 'Red Flags' advocacy George's SubstackGeorge's Substack · George Weiss · 2026-02-27
Substack post by George Weiss (Feb 27, 2026), 'The LBUSD Governance Crisis: Defending Jason Viloria Amidst Financial Scandal and Legal Red Flags,' which defends the institutional context of Viloria's tenure. Cited on the termination event as an attributed perspective; the post is not itself an event.