It's A Wrap

News from Laguna Beach Unified School District, its teachers, students, staff and Board of Education.

March 20, 2024

Board of Education awards design contracts for early learning classrooms and Laguna Beach High School pool

During its March 14 meeting, the Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) Board of Education awarded contracts for design services for the modernization of the Laguna Beach High School pool and classroom upgrades at El Morro and Top of the World Elementary School, projects identified in the district’s Ten-Year Facilities Master Plan (FMP).

Due to the need for significant repairs, the LBHS Community Pool has been a designated capital improvement project since 2015 and is one of the last projects awaiting completion. The Laguna Beach City Council's unanimous decision to pursue an independent path for a community pool ends a longstanding partnership that has provided aquatic recreational opportunities to the community for more than 30 years. Given the City Council’s recent decision, the design will no longer incorporate shared-use considerations.

Since early 2023, discussions between the district and the city have been crucial in shaping the future of the community pool. In joint subcommittee meetings held between 2023 and early 2024, the two parties explored design possibilities, operational needs, and financial planning. For LBUSD, operational needs included additional deep-water lanes for aquatic programs. For the city, staff identified an increase in shallow water lanes as a non-negotiable requirement.

Thurston Middle School champions student growth with new initiatives and inclusive standards

Thurston Middle School Principal Joe Vidal's presentation to the Board of Education on March 14, 2024, outlined the school's goals and key actions for improving student outcomes in the areas of college and career readiness, social-emotional competencies, and creating safe, equitable, and inclusive schools. The presentation highlighted progress in enhancing academic interventions, specifically the variety of enrichment opportunities available to students during the tutorial class period. Mr. Vidal also shared updates on appearance standards and how recent changes contribute to a positive and inclusive environment.

View the report

LBUSD celebrates Izzie Tran’s first-place win in the 25th Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest

LBUSD is proud to announce that Thurston Middle School student Izzie Tran secured first place in the 25th Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest on Friday. Tran's entry, "Mourning Silence," reflects on the testimony of Kurt Messerschmidt, shedding light on the harrowing events of Kristallnacht, as some 30,000 Jewish men were taken to Nazi concentration camps, according to History.com. Under this year's theme, "Answering the Call of Memory: Choosing to Act," entrants drew inspiration from Holocaust survivors' or rescuers' testimonies, creatively expressing their reflections through art, poetry, prose, or film.

LBUSD Art Show

Join us for an unforgettable evening at LBHS on April 2, from 6 to 8 p.m., as we celebrate the talents and creativity of our TK-12 students at the annual Celebration of the Arts. Don’t miss this spectacular showcase of visual and performing arts, where the vibrant spirit of our district's young artists comes to life!

Board reviews positive financial update and plans for future capital improvements

On Thursday evening, at its regularly scheduled meeting, the Board of Education received an update on the district's financial status with the presentation of the Second Interim Report. This update highlighted revenue adjustments due to newly recognized grant awards and a slight increase in property tax receipts, alongside expenditure increases primarily for upgrades to the Artists' Theatre and rising costs in technology and special education. The presentation underscored the district's strong fund balance, maintained well above required levels. In addition, staff shared plans for a $10M transfer in 2025-26 to support capital improvement projects.

Second Interim Report

Watch the Board Meeting

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 6 p.m. Visit lbusd.org/board for more information.

Watch Here