| | News from Laguna Beach Unified School District, its teachers, students, staff and Board of Education. | | Board receives midyear update on Local Control and Accountability Plan | The LCAP outlines district goals, funding priorities, and measures of student progress | | |
At its Feb. 12 meeting, the Board received a midyear update on the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan, or LCAP. The LCAP is the state-required roadmap that outlines how the district sets goals, allocates funding, and measures progress to improve student learning, school climate, and opportunities for all students. Because English learners, foster youth, and students from low-income households have historically experienced achievement gaps, the state provides additional funding to support their success and requires districts to report on how those resources are being used to maintain and strengthen services for these student groups.
The update highlighted progress in several key areas. In reading and math, midyear data show growth across grade levels, with fewer students requiring intensive intervention and more students moving into grade-level performance tiers. At the high school level, 21% of students have earned college credit through dual or concurrent enrollment, 41% are enrolled in at least one Career Technical Education (CTE) course, and 59% have taken at least one Advanced Placement course. The district also monitors indicators of student well-being, including attendance, engagement, and school climate measures. Attendance rates remain strong at an average daily rate of 96%, and suspension rates have continued to decline.
The presentation also noted areas where targeted efforts remain important. While intervention strategies are supporting student growth, achievement gaps persist for some student groups, including students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and students from economically disadvantaged homes. District staff outlined continued use of a multi-tiered system of supports, targeted academic interventions, and ongoing community input as part of the continuous improvement process.
| | Laguna Beach High School named 2026 California Green Ribbon Schools Gold Level Honoree | |
Laguna Beach High School (LBHS) has earned statewide recognition as a 2026 California Green Ribbon Schools (CA-GRS) Gold Level Honoree, the California Department of Education announced this week. Gold Level status is awarded to schools achieving a score of 75 percent or higher, and LBHS earned a score of 85.23 percent, placing it among the highest performing schools in the state for environmental and sustainability practices.
The CA-GRS program recognizes schools for their efforts in sustainability, student health, and environmental literacy. Schools are evaluated across multiple measures and may be recognized at the Bronze, Silver, or Gold level, with Gold representing the highest level of achievement within the program.
| Top of the World Elementary shares midyear progress aligned to district goals | |
At the Feb. 12 meeting, Top of the World Elementary Principal Tom Turner presented a midyear update on the school’s progress aligned to the district’s three LCAP goals: academic achievement, social-emotional development, and safe, inclusive schools.
The school reported strong academic growth in both reading and math. Since the beginning of the school year, the percentage of students performing at or above grade level in reading increased from 49% to 69%, while the percentage performing at grade level in math rose from 32% to 57%. The update also highlighted the recent math curriculum pilot and the school’s tiered support system, which includes small-group instruction, specialist interventions, and enrichment opportunities such as student-selected book clubs and arts integration to meet the needs of all learners.
In support of social-emotional development, the school shared strong survey results related to supportive relationships and positive feelings, along with continued implementation of weekly SEL lessons, restorative practices, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and mentoring programs. The presentation also outlined efforts to strengthen targeted behavioral supports, reduce chronic absenteeism through outreach and data review, and promote inclusion through the arts.
| Board Member James J. Kelly, Ph.D., brings higher education leadership and a commitment to inclusion to LBUSD | |
This profile is part of a series highlighting the five members of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education. Each feature shares the background, perspective, and priorities each trustee brings to serving students, families, and the Laguna Beach community.
Board Member James J. Kelly, Ph.D., brings the perspective of a longtime Laguna Beach resident and higher education leader to his service on the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education. Having lived in the community for nearly four decades, he values the close connections that define Laguna Beach and believes strong public schools are central to that sense of community. His professional background in social work and university leadership, along with his own experiences as a student, inform his focus on inclusive schools, student support systems, and helping every child feel seen and supported.
| | Board reviews planning considerations for promotion and graduation ceremonies | Following a request for Board consideration by community members, Laguna Beach High School Principal Jason Allemann, Ed.D., and Thurston Middle School Principal Joe Vidal provided an update on promotion and graduation planning during the Feb. 12 meeting. The presentation outlined the current shared planning model, student feedback on venue preferences, associated costs, and guiding principles focused on student recognition, family access, safety, and inclusion. No action was taken, and the Board may revisit the topic at a future meeting. | Board approves revisions to agenda Board Bylaw 9322 | The Board of Education approved revisions to Board Bylaw (BB) 9322, which addresses agenda development and approval procedures. The action follows discussion at the Board’s Jan. 22 meeting, during which members considered language clarifying the role of the Board president in approving agendas prior to posting. At the Board’s direction, the proposed revisions were submitted to legal counsel for review. Counsel provided edits for clarity and placement within the policy, and the revised language was approved at the Board’s Feb. 12 meeting. | LBHS students present Green Schoolyard Initiative | |
At its Feb. 12 meeting, the Board heard a presentation from Laguna Beach High School students Genevieve Dechary and Hadley Mello, who are participating in the California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program (CYCP). The two students are among 44 selected statewide to take part in the program.
Their presentation focused on a proposed Green Schoolyard Initiative to increase tree canopy and shaded areas across LBUSD campuses, reducing heat and improving student well-being. The students shared data showing that approximately 19% of the existing campus tree canopy is accessible to students during the school day and outlined a goal to increase shade coverage to 30%. They also discussed potential implementation strategies and funding opportunities, including alignment with the district’s Facilities Master Plan and possible grant sources.
| Board approves Comprehensive District and School Safety Plan | The Board of Education approved the annual update to the district’s Comprehensive District and School Safety Plan. State law requires school districts to review and update their safety plans each year to ensure procedures for prevention, preparedness, response and recovery remain current and aligned with legal requirements. The plan was reviewed by the District Safety Committee, including representatives from the Laguna Beach Police Department and district staff, and was published for public comment prior to Board consideration. No substantive changes were required this year, but the plan was updated to reflect current practices and operational procedures. | The next regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting is a governance meeting on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at 6 p.m. Visit lbusd.org/board for more information. | | | | | |
