Voice of OC reports transparency concerns over interim search
Voice of OC published reporting on the new LBUSD board's interim superintendent search process. The January 9, 2025 piece by Hosam Elattar quoted two former board members — Peggy Wolff and Ketta Brown — raising Brown Act concerns about how the new majority handled the search, alongside continuing trustee James Kelly. Board President Dee Perry argued the outgoing board had left the district without a succession plan; Trustee Joan Malczewski (in the dissenting minority) characterized the process as one she would not have chosen. A follow-up piece published January 13, 2025 reported that Dr. JoAnn Culverhouse — herself a former LBUSD principal — had declined the interim offer made on December 16, 2024, and that Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Jeff Dixon had been formally appointed Acting Superintendent on January 9, 2025; the same article noted a separate former LBUSD principal who declined a similar appointment, and disputes between Perry and the minority over Perry working out of the superintendent's office during the gap. The same article quoted LBUSD outside counsel Tony DeMarco of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo describing his recommendation that Perry "make herself available at the district office in a limited capacity" while not acting as superintendent. The substance of the alleged Brown Act issues, beyond the characterizations attributed to past board members in the Voice of OC coverage, has not been independently adjudicated in this timeline.
People referenced
Citations (6)
- Voice of OC · 2025-01-09
Voice of OC's January 9, 2025 article — the originating publication for the transparency reporting event.
- Laguna Beach School Board Looks For Interim Superintendent Amid Transparency Concerns news Voice of OCVoice of OC · 2025-01-13
Voice of OC's January 13, 2025 follow-up referenced in the event description.
- Laguna Beach School Board Looks For Interim Superintendent Amid Transparency Concerns news Voice of OCVoice of OC · 2025-01-13
There's certain functions that are by law mandated to be performed by the superintendent. It was my recommendation that the Board President make herself available at the district office in a limited capacity. I think we talked about "you're not superintendent," but somebody's got to be there to answer questions, especially making sure that the agenda for the next meeting was put in place.
LBUSD outside counsel Tony DeMarco of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, quoted in the Voice of OC's January 13, 2025 article on the December 2024 leadership-gap arrangement.
- Voice of OC · 2025-01-09
We would have no superintendent because the outgoing board did not really leave us a succession plan.
Board President Dee Perry, as quoted by Voice of OC reporter Hosam Elattar on January 9, 2025.
- Voice of OC · 2025-01-09
If I was going to pick a process that would absolutely be out of the question – it's the one that played out.
Trustee Joan Malczewski (dissenting minority), as quoted by Voice of OC on January 9, 2025.
- Laguna Beach School Board Looks For Interim Superintendent Amid Transparency Concerns news Voice of OCVoice of OC · 2025-01-13
It's not my problem that you didn't understand that you were putting the district at risk by not having someone in place.
Board President Dee Perry, as quoted by Voice of OC on January 13, 2025, responding to criticism of the interim-superintendent search process.