Laguna Beach Unified School District and the Laguna Beach Unified Faculty Association (LaBUFA) have reached a tentative agreement that prioritizes maintaining high-quality health care coverage while limiting cost increases for employees and the district.

The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education approved an employment agreement with Don Austin, Ed.D., at its June 4 meeting to serve as superintendent of schools effective July 1. Dr. Austin brings more than 30 years of educational experience, including service as superintendent of two California school districts and prior leadership experience in LBUSD.

Board Member Joan Malczewski brings to the LBUSD Board of Education a distinctive blend of academic expertise as a historian of American education, financial fluency developed through her early career as a CPA, and direct classroom and teacher-mentoring experience. 

The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education today announced the appointment of Don Austin, Ed.D., as Superintendent of Schools, effective July 1. The action quickly follows the governing board’s May 12 action to approve a mutual separation agreement with Dr. Jason Glass, which ends his service as Superintendent after May 31, 2026.

On Tuesday, May 12, the Governing Board of the Laguna Unified School District and Dr. Jason Glass reached a mutual agreement to conclude Dr. Glass’s service as the Superintendent of Schools effective May 31, 2026.