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Superintendent Don Austin to leave Palo Alto Unified after turbulent month

Palo Alto Online (Palo Alto Weekly) · Lisa Moreno

Author
Published:
2026-02-20
Retrieved:
2026-05-13
URL:
https://www.paloaltoonline.com/palo-alto-schools/2026/02/20/superintendent-don-austin-to-leave-palo-alto-unified-after-turbulent-month/

Same-day PAUSD-side reporting on Don Austin's February 2026 separation from Palo Alto Unified, three months before his Laguna Beach appointment.

Key points

  • Palo Alto Online (Palo Alto Weekly) coverage by Lisa Moreno, published February 20, 2026.
  • Reports Don Austin's PAUSD departure 'after turbulent month' — characterizing the climate around the separation.
  • Documents the PAUSD board's pressure on Austin in early February 2026.
  • Notes the formal separation agreement language and the 'Superintendent Emeritus' transition arrangement through June 30, 2026.
  • Updated 2026-02-26 with additional context; the first commercial-paper coverage of the PAUSD departure.

Cited by 1 event

  1. Board appoints Dr. Don Austin as next superintendent

    Palo Alto Online same-day reporting on Austin's February 20, 2026 PAUSD separation.