Regular Board Meeting (Open Session)

Summary

The LBUSD Board held its regular March 12, 2026 meeting with Trustees Morgan (president), Perry, Kelly, Malczewski, and Hills, plus Glass, CBO Roychowdhury, Assistant Superintendent Mike Conlon, and student board members Logan and Ivy. The board unanimously (5-0) approved the 2025-26 Second Interim Financial Report with a positive certification, presented by Roychowdhury and Budget Administrator Raymond Lee, showing total revenues of $93.3 million and expenditures of $92.3 million for the General Fund, and unanimously approved an $11 million interfund transfer from the General Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund (Fund 40) for high school pool construction. Additional action included approving seven CSBA Region 15 delegate nominees (4-1), retiring Board Policy 5145.13 on immigration enforcement, certifying athletic coach competency, and tabling approval of the February 12 and February 26 meeting minutes pending review. Public comment was dominated by LBHS seniors and community members opposing the board's earlier decision to move 2026 graduation from Geyer Field to the Irvine Bowl, with extensive discussion of an SRO MOU revision proposing a roughly 140% first-year cost increase to $394,759.

Key insights (14)

• Board approved 2025-26 Second Interim Budget 5-0 with positive certification; revenues rose from $92.1M to $93.3M (a $1.2M increase, largely from property taxes recalculated at 5.8% growth); expenditures rose to $92.3M; reserve maintained at 5% (~$5.28M, state minimum 3% plus 2% local policy add).
• Board approved 5-0 an $11M interfund transfer from General Fund to Fund 40 for the LBHS pool project; CBO stated the district had committed approximately $20.4M, leaving a potential $1.4M-$4.6M funding gap; a further $4M transfer is planned next year.
• Roychowdhury reported the General Fund balance is projected to draw down to approximately 6.75% ($7.12M) in 2025-26 and bottom out near 5.76% in 2026-27 before recovering; he recommended no new ongoing program additions for the next 12-18 months absent offsetting cuts.
• Roychowdhury confirmed the previously approved $850,000 absorption of excess health benefit payments remains in the current year's budget; CBA caps are unchanged and the matter will be addressed in 2026-27 negotiations.
• Roychowdhury reported a $90,000 first AB 218 (child victims) payment was made with another approximately $90,000 installment next year; property and liability insurance premiums are seeing 8-10% jumps with some insurers exiting California.
• SRO MOU revision discussed: first-year proposed cost of $394,759 (roughly 140% first-year increase, ~58% ongoing), adding sexual crimes and cyberbullying curriculum; language was added stating SROs "retain sole discretion" and "will not take direction from the school board" regarding meeting management or crowd control; Glass recommended renegotiating with the city.
• Hills said the district had paid $8.5M in a sexual-crimes lawsuit (insured) and called for a formalized referral mechanism for female students.
• Approximately 20 LBHS seniors and community members spoke during public comment opposing the board's 3-2 decision to move graduation to the Irvine Bowl; speakers cited a student survey (107 of 213 responded; 47% Geyer Field, 46% Irvine Bowl, ~7.5% no preference). Morgan stated the decision "is being upheld" and "we are not bringing it back."
• Student board member Logan stated: "It has been brought to my attention that President Morgan has suggested that I am some kind of puppet of fuel" and called moving him and Ivy off the center of the dais with Glass placed between them a "childish attempt at silencing the student's voice." Ivy similarly objected. Morgan responded that she was relaying what "was reported to me" by community members.
• Malczewski read a statement objecting to a new "Communication Plans Immediate Implementation" plan she said was developed by President Morgan via Glass, stating it inappropriately focuses on board visibility (board member profiles beginning with President Morgan, next-day summaries of board decisions, expanded press-style distribution) rather than the educational mission.
• Dr. Mayberry announced Thurston Middle School was named a 2026 California Distinguished School; new elementary math curriculum students showed 5% higher mid-year achievement than school-wide average and 9% higher year-over-year.
• LBHS Principal Dr. Allman presented school data: 97% graduation rate, 87% A-G completion, 70% AP exam pass rate, 44% in CTE pathways, math standard-met rate of 60% (junior CAASPP), chronic absenteeism at 12.6% (target below 10%).
• Board voted 4-1 to approve seven CSBA Region 15 delegate nominees; the dissenting vote came from a student board member.
• Closed session: board released ten temporary certificated employees by employee number effective end of 2025-26 school year via 5-0 vote pursuant to Education Code 44954(b); Morgan described it as "a typical action."

Linked timeline events (5)

• Dec 16, 2024 First Interim Budget references $497K health care shortfall
• Jul 1, 2025 Glass officially begins as Superintendent
• Oct 2025 Manoj Roychowdhury hired as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services
• Nov 13, 2025 Staff presents benefits options to board
• Dec 16, 2025 Board votes 5–0 to absorb $850K health benefits shortfall