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Palo Alto Unified announces new superintendent — who comes from a familiar place

Palo Alto Online (Palo Alto Weekly) · Lisa Moreno

Author
Published:
2026-06-13
Retrieved:
2026-06-13
URL:
https://www.paloaltoonline.com/palo-alto/2026/06/13/palo-alto-unified-announces-new-superintendent-who-comes-from-a-familiar-place/

PAUSD-side reporting that Palo Alto Unified named departing LBUSD superintendent Jason Glass its incoming superintendent — completing a two-district swap with Don Austin (who left PAUSD in February 2026 and becomes LBUSD superintendent the same day, July 1, 2026). CAVEAT: captured as a focused WebFetch extraction, NOT a verbatim full-text clip — quotes and figures are accurate as extracted but were not captured line-for-line; verify against the source URL before extended quotation. The appointment is announced pending contract approval at the PAUSD board's June 16, 2026 meeting — not yet contractually final as of publication.

Key points

  • Palo Alto Online (Lisa Moreno), June 13, 2026: PAUSD named Jason Glass its incoming superintendent, pending contract approval at the June 16, 2026 board meeting.
  • Glass was the Laguna Beach Unified superintendent the LBUSD board majority separated from on May 12, 2026; he starts at PAUSD July 1, 2026.
  • Completes a direct swap: former PAUSD superintendent Don Austin accepted the Laguna Beach superintendency, while Glass takes the PAUSD seat Austin vacated — both effective July 1, 2026.
  • Glass compensation: about $396,000 base salary plus a $5,000/month housing allowance, totaling roughly $456,000 annually (as extracted).
  • PAUSD Board President Shounak Dharap said Glass will 'unify the district' and that he is 'so comfortable and confident in the district's future with Dr. Glass at the helm.'

Cited by 3 events

  1. Palo Alto Unified names Jason Glass its incoming superintendent, completing the Glass–Austin swap

    I am grateful for the opportunity and ready to do the work to earn the trust of this community.

    Glass on his PAUSD appointment; Board President Shounak Dharap said Glass will 'unify the district.' Captured via focused extraction, not a verbatim clip.

  2. Board appoints Dr. Don Austin as next superintendent

    The other half of the swap: as LBUSD installs Austin (former PAUSD superintendent), PAUSD installs Glass (former LBUSD superintendent); both effective July 1, 2026.

  3. Board votes 3–2 in closed session on Glass separation; joint statement issued

    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.