Board votes 3–2 in closed session on Glass separation; joint statement issued
Vote 3-2
A special board meeting was held on May 12, 2026, with closed session scheduled for 2:30 PM and a budget study session that followed at 3:30 PM at the LBUSD District Office. The closed session was governed by Board Bylaw 9321 (Closed Session). According to the closed-session report read aloud at the opening of the budget study session, the board voted 3-2 to approve a "mutual separation agreement and general release" with Dr. Glass. The motion was made by Trustee Howard Hills and seconded by Trustee Dee Perry; Trustees Joan Malczewski and James J. Kelly opposed. The agreement set Dr. Glass's resignation date as May 31, 2026, with paid administrative leave effective May 13, 2026. At approximately 4:08 PM the district issued a joint statement from the Governing Board and Dr. Glass that described the parties as having "reached a mutual agreement to conclude" Glass's service; the public joint statement did not disclose the 3-2 vote split, the financial terms, or the administrative-leave provision.
People referenced
Citations (24)
- Laguna Beach Unified School District · 2026-05-12
The Governing Board of the Laguna Beach Unified School District and Dr. Jason Glass have reached a mutual agreement to conclude Dr. Glass' service as Superintendent of Schools effective May 31, 2026. The Governing Board thanks Dr. Glass for his service and dedication to the students, staff, and families of the Laguna Beach Unified School District and wishes him well in his future endeavors.
Verbatim joint statement sent to LBUSD community at approximately 4:08 PM PT on May 12, 2026.
- Board President Statement on Superintendent Transition primary Laguna Beach Unified School District — Board of EducationLaguna Beach Unified School District — Board of Education · Sheri Morgan · 2026-05-12
On Tuesday, May 12, the Governing Board of the Laguna Unified School District and Dr. Jason Glass reached a mutual agreement to conclude Dr. Glass's service as the Superintendent of Schools effective May 31, 2026. During this transition period, it is imperative that our students continue to receive the highest quality education and support. Service to our students, employees and families will be our highest priority. Families should expect schools to continue operating as usual. Students will continue to be supported by teachers, staff, principals and District leaders. The Board is focused on ensuring that this transitional period does not distract from our core mission -- teaching, learning and education. The Board recognizes the importance of the coming weeks and will act to provide stability and progress. Further comments will be brought forward as needed.
Standalone Board President statement signed by Sheri Morgan, issued alongside the joint statement on May 12, 2026.
- Stu News Laguna · Tom Johnson · 2026-05-12
Tom Johnson's contemporaneous column captured pre-announcement community awareness ahead of the joint statement.
- Laguna Beach Unified School District
Agenda for the May 12, 2026 special meeting (closed session and budget study session) is accessible through the LBUSD BoardDocs portal.
- Laguna Beach Unified School District
LBUSD recording of the meeting; see /meetings/2026-05-12-study for a transcript-derived summary.
- What's Going On in LBUSD? Start Here op-ed A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com)A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com) · Erika Hennon Rule · 2026-05-07
Erika Hennon Rule op-ed published 2026-05-07 at publicrecordlaguna.com. What's Going On in LBUSD? Start Here.
- A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com) · Erika Hennon Rule · 2026-05-12
Erika Hennon Rule op-ed published 2026-05-12 at publicrecordlaguna.com. How Dare They.
- Laguna Beach Unified School District
Upon the motion of Trustee Howard Hills and seconded by Trustee Dee Perry and a vote of three to two, with Member Malczewski and Member Kelly opposing. The board took action in closed session to approve a mutual separation agreement and general release between the governing board and Dr. Jason Glass. The agreement was executed on May 12, 2026, and the date of resignation will be May 31, 2026. Until the date of resignation, Dr. Glass will be on paid administrative leave, effective May 13, 2026.
Verbatim closed-session report-out at the opening of the May 12 budget study session. Documents that the motion was made by Hills and seconded by Perry, that Glass was placed on paid administrative leave effective the day after the agreement, and that the action was structured as a 'mutual separation agreement and general release.'
- Laguna Beach Unified School District
The budget problems don't have to do with money, we have money. The budget problems that we've had to deal with… have involved the budget execution, how you spend money, and not spending public money the way you spend private money.
Trustee Howard Hills during the public portion of the May 12 budget study session, immediately following the closed-session separation-agreement report-out.
- Laguna Beach Unified School District
Legal costs have doubled. The board attorney and payments for investigations of staff.
Trustee Joan Malczewski's response to Hills during the May 12 budget study session, citing rising legal expenditures and 'payments for investigations of staff' as part of the trajectory.
- A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com) · Erika Hennon Rule · 2026-05-12
This is about whether the board will continue pulling the district into conflict, or finally recognize that its choices have consequences beyond the dais.
Same-day pre-vote essay by Erika Hennon Rule appealing to the board ahead of the closed session.
- FUEL — Families Unified for Education in Laguna · Emily Rolfing · 2026-05-12
Tonight, in a 3-2 vote, the LBUSD Board Majority approved a mutual separation agreement with our Superintendent, Dr. Jason Glass, ending his tenure not even a year into the role. This marks the third superintendent our district has lost in just 18 months.
FUEL Board's same-evening reaction statement, signed 'With Resolve, FUEL Board.'
- LBUSD Superintendent Resigns by Mutual Consent of the Board and Dr. Glass op-ed George Weiss's SubstackGeorge Weiss's Substack · George Weiss · 2026-05-14
I do want to emphasize that his departure was a mutual decision. Dr. Glass was not fired for cause, nor was he terminated without cause, as was the case with our prior Superintendent under the prior Board.
George Weiss's same-week post framing the separation as a mutual decision.
- Laguna Beach Independent · Alicia Venter · 2026-05-15
The board voted 3-2 on Tuesday for the separation agreement. Sheri Morgan, Howard Hills and Dee Perry voted in favor, while Joan Malczewski and Jim Kelly opposed the decision.
Laguna Beach Independent reporting by Alicia Venter.
- LBUSD board cuts ties with superintendent after less than a year, quickly appoints former LBHS principal as replacement news Stu News LagunaStu News Laguna · Sara Hall · 2026-05-15
Board members voted 3-2 in closed session to approve a "mutual separation agreement" and general release between the board and Glass. In favor of the action were President Sheri Morgan and trustees Howard Hills and Dee Perry, while trustees Joan Malczewski and Jim Kelly dissented.
Stu News Laguna reporting by Sara Hall.
- Stu News Laguna · Tom Johnson · 2026-05-15
Laguna Beach Unified School District's Board of Trustees voted 3-2 on May 12 to approve a mutual separation agreement with Superintendent Jason Glass, effective May 31, 2026. Glass will remain on paid administrative leave beginning May 13.
Stu News Laguna's Fair Game column for May 15, 2026.
- Finding Dr. Right: The LBUSD Superintendent Search op-ed A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com)A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com) · Erika Hennon Rule · 2026-05-19
When someone moves across the country for a four-year contract and is gone in ten months, the characterization of it as "mutual" does not feel reassuring. Instead, it reads more like a difficult resolution reached under pressure.
Erika Hennon Rule's May 19 essay characterizing the May 12 mutual-separation framing in the context of Glass's earlier relocation under a multi-year contract.
- Spotlight Schools · Jeannette Andruss · 2026-05-14
Corroborating cite: Andruss reports Glass on paid administrative leave from the May 12 vote through his May 31 last day.
- Laguna Beach Unified School District · 2026-05-12
Closed-session counterpart to the May 12, 2026 special meeting (13m42s) — public-comment portion preceding the 3-2 vote on the Glass mutual separation agreement.
- Howard Hill's Campaign Against LBUSD op-ed A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com)A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com) · Erika Hennon Rule · 2026-05-28
Constitutional protection is not the same thing as ethical conduct, and having the right to do something does not mean a sitting trustee should use paid ads, outside messengers, and unofficial press coordination to pressure the district he was elected to govern.
Erika Hennon Rule op-ed published 2026-05-28 at publicrecordlaguna.com, Howard Hill's Campaign Against LBUSD.
- The Questions Behind LBUSD's Sudden Superintendent Transition op-ed A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com)A Public Record for Laguna Schools (publicrecordlaguna.com) · Erika Hennon Rule · 2026-06-03
Rule's June 3, 2026 piece and 45-item CPRA request raise whether the May 12, 2026 special-meeting 3-2 action ending Glass's contract complied with BP 2121 (which states the Board 'shall not take action to terminate the Superintendent without cause at a special or emergency meeting') and BP 2140 (superintendent evaluation). Allegation/records request, not a finding.
- Stu News Laguna · Erika Hennon Rule · 2026-06-05
Howard Hills did not approach this as a problem to be resolved; he treated it like an opening. ... He was elected to serve the district, not to punish it.
Erika Hennon Rule, letter to the editor, Stu News Laguna, June 5, 2026. Rule's framing of Hills's handling of the healthcare-audit issue.
- Palo Alto Unified announces new superintendent — who comes from a familiar place news Palo Alto Online (Palo Alto Weekly)Palo Alto Online (Palo Alto Weekly) · Lisa Moreno · 2026-06-13
Resolves what followed the May 12 LBUSD separation: three weeks after his Laguna Beach service ended (May 31), Glass landed the PAUSD superintendency — the seat Austin vacated.
- Stu News Laguna · Dawn Hunnicutt · 2026-06-16
His daily rate, accrued vacation days, severance package and earnings for ten months of employment bring the district's investment in Glass to approximately $766,451.
Hunnicutt's cost read of the May 12 Glass separation — a ~$766,451 total investment for ten months. Advocacy-assembled; severance terms not verified against the separation agreement itself.