| | News from Laguna Beach Unified School District, its teachers, students, staff and Board of Education. | | Laguna Beach Unified School District completes stadium turf, track replacement at Laguna Beach High School | | |
Laguna Beach Unified School District has completed a major capital improvement project at Laguna Beach High School, replacing the stadium’s 10-year-old turf field and track with advanced, environmentally friendly materials designed to enhance performance, safety, and sustainability. The $1.165 million project included approximately $760,000 for turf replacement and $405,000 for the track surface overlay.
The updated turf is free of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other fluorinated chemicals, providing a safer and more environmentally responsible playing surface. A key feature is Geofill, a natural infill composed of 80% coconut husks and 20% sand. This petroleum-free material mimics the feel of natural grass, cools the surface during hot weather, and reduces maintenance needs. The new Shaw Sports Turf field was installed in four weeks, a shorter timeline than most turf projects, thanks to a manufacturing process that weaves field lines and graphics directly into the turf material. This process eliminated the need for on-site installation of these elements.
The community will have an opportunity to see the new field in action at the first football home game of the season on Thursday, August 29, at 7 p.m., when the Breakers face Santa Monica High School.
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LBUSD announces 2025–26 Student Board Members Ivy Dabbs, Logan Marshall, and alternate Kiyan Arshadi | |
The Laguna Beach Unified School District has appointed Laguna Beach High School sophomores Ivy Dabbs and Logan Marshall, along with alternate senior Kiyan Arshadi, as the 2025–26 student board members. They attended their first meeting as members on Aug. 14, 2025.
This summer, Dabbs studied international relations at Oxford University, minoring in public speaking and debate, while Marshall attended a program at Duke University focused on Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation in Post-Conflict Societies, with a specific emphasis on the Rwandan Genocide and the Holocaust.
| National speaker Kemy J to share strategies for raising empathetic, resilient students in grades 4-8 | |
LBUSD invites families and students in grades 4–8 to a special presentation with national speaker Kemy Joseph (“Kemy J”) on Monday, August 25, 2025, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Artists’ Theatre at Laguna Beach High School.
During his presentation, Kemy will share how thoughts, emotions, and actions can help children grow as empathetic citizens, while offering relatable stories and practical tools to support students in navigating new social dynamics and greater independence in grades 4–8.
Childcare will be provided for students in grades TK–3, with refreshments available starting at 5:30 p.m. Spanish interpretation will be available, with additional languages upon request. Students in grades 4–8 are encouraged to attend with their guardians.
| Laguna Beach police to host e-bike safety course Aug. 17 | |
The Laguna Beach Police Department will host an e-bike safety course for students and parents from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Aug. 17, at Thurston Middle School, 2100 Park Ave.
The course will cover e-bike safety skills and rules of the road. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn their e-bike permit for school transportation. Hourly time slots will be available.
Registration is required and can be completed online by selecting “LBPD E-Bike Safety Course.” A parent must attend with each student.
| | Board reviews mobile device policy, directs staff to return with implementation report | |
At its regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 14, the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education received a presentation on Board Policy 5131.8 regarding mobile communication devices. Staff reviewed state requirements, including recent updates to the Education Code, and outlined how the policy is implemented across elementary, middle and high schools in LBUSD.
The board discussed opportunities to expand parent education to help families better understand how students are using mobile devices and directed staff to provide additional information on the policy’s implementation at a future meeting.
| Board examines rising tech use, proposal for screen time guidelines | |
On Aug. 14, the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education heard a report on Board Policy 6163.4, Student Use of Technology, which included new data showing increased usage between the 2023–24 and 2024–25 school years and outlined ongoing efforts to address the trend.
This school year, the district will launch "Securly Parent Access," an app that allows parents to view their child’s online activity, set offline schedules, and review weekly usage reports. Parent workshops will be offered to support families in using the new tool.
As part of the proposal, staff outlined next steps that include gathering additional input from families, collaborating with grade-level and department groups to refine district screen time guidelines, and presenting revisions and updates to the board for further discussion.
| Board advances revised bylaw 9310 for legal review | The Board agenda approved by Board President Perry for the August 14 meeting included proposed revisions to existing Board Bylaw 9310, which governs the adoption and implementation of all Board bylaws. Board Clerk Howard Hills, at the request of President Perry, provided a draft for consideration. In accordance with current Board Bylaw 9310, the Superintendent also provided a draft. As Hills noted in the meeting, because the Superintendent’s draft addressed the issues he proposed to modify and went further to include additional needed revisions, Clerk Hills informed the Board of his support for the more comprehensive proposal. Hills then moved to approve the Superintendent’s version. That motion was amended to submit the Superintendent’s draft for legal review and for consideration of whether any other revisions should be made on the advice of counsel. The amended motion was adopted, 5-0. | The next regularly scheduled board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 6 p.m. Visit lbusd.org/board for more information. | | | | | |
