Regular Board Meeting (Open Session)

Summary

The October 23, 2025 regular meeting (called to order 6:13 PM) approved retention of the DWK law firm (Dannis Woliver Kelley) for a one-year term on a 4-1 vote with Kelly opposed — the firm that subsequently provided board counsel John Pearl. The board unanimously denied claim 658782025-26002. Item F (a Gray Matters Strategies / Dr. Tammy Schiff communications-services extension) was pulled and approved over one no vote. Glass announced the pool replacement project had received Division of the State Architect (DSA) approval. Presentations included a Progressive Discipline and Restorative Practices report from Dr. Mayberry, Dr. Keller, Principal Joe Vidal (Thurston), and Dr. Allman (LBHS), and Glass introduced a three-phase strategic-planning process targeting board approval in March 2026.

Key insights (11)

• 4-1 vote authorized retaining DWK (Dannis Woliver Kelley) for a one-year term — this is the firm that later assigned John Pearl as board counsel. Kelly voted no.
• 5-0 vote denied claim 658782025-26002 per Government Code Section 913.
• Gray Matters Strategies extension for communications support (due to communications director's leave) approved over a "no" vote; one speaker called the contract "totally unnecessary if the board majority had stayed in its lane."
• CSEA/LaBUFA representative declined to give the standing union report, stating: "we did have a report tonight, but unfortunately, with the emails received this afternoon through LaBUFA and CSEA's public records request, we have been now told that we have no comment and we are meeting with the union leadership and attorneys next week."
• Pool project DSA approval announced, allowing project to move into next-phase construction planning.
• Discipline data presented: district-wide suspension rate 1.7% in 2024-25; Thurston dropped from 7% several years ago to 3% last year to "under 1%" this year.
• Survey data: 89% of 1,223 students feel safe or very safe at school; 86% of high schoolers and 75% of Thurston students report having a "go-to adult" at school.
• Steve McIntosh public comment: LBUSD spends "$35,000 per student" while Irvine spends "$15,500"; cited CAASPP scores of 59% meeting standard in math and 57% in science for the current senior cohort.
• Speaker Jeb Brown to Hills: "your legacy is up to you. You can elect to be remembered as a man who is bitter and served grievances, or you can be someone who rolled up their sleeves... and did everything they could to help the education in Laguna Beach."
• Glass announced a three-phase strategic planning process: Phase 1 validation/prioritization, Phase 2 sequencing/drafting (early February), Phase 3 board review and approval (March 2026).
• Dr. Julie Hatchell (El Moro principal) recognized in absentia as a 2025 NAESP National Distinguished Principal.

Linked timeline events (6)

• Oct 2025 Manoj Roychowdhury hired as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services
• Oct 9, 2025 Glass presents 100-Day Superintendent Report
• Nov 13, 2025 Staff presents benefits options to board
• Jan 8, 2026 Board approves $18.8M pool modernization hard-cost contract
• Jan 22, 2026 Board approves Bylaw 9322 first reading on agenda authority 3–2
• Feb 12, 2026 Board adopts Bylaw 9322 on second reading 3–2; CSEA and LaBUFA file grievance