By Jim Kelly, LBUSD board member
As our community navigates the upcoming school board elections, it’s crucial to look beyond the noise of criticism and consider the broader picture of our school district’s success and ongoing improvement. Laguna Beach Unified School District represents a complex system of educators, librarians, counselors, social workers, coaches, staff, students, and families — a system that works tirelessly to create an environment where every child’s educational experience is valued and individualized. It’s no coincidence that LBUSD is the highest-achieving district in Orange County, with a growing number of students transferring from private schools to culminate their educational journey at Laguna Beach High School each year.
This level of achievement has been intentional. It requires navigating a wide range of needs and perspectives, and it takes the dedication of an entire team. To lead a district that provides such an experience requires a steady vision and a focus on relationships that are built, maintained, and strengthened over time.
The district’s facilities master plan has been a topic of debate, particularly among members of Sensible Laguna. However, their arguments are inconsistent, most recently amongst themselves. At the most recent board meeting on Sept. 26, where the Laguna Beach High School Modernization project was discussed, the group’s so-called “2,000 strong members” were conspicuously absent.
Steve McIntosh’s public comments focused on the community’s use of the pool, saying, “What we’re forgetting is playing in the pool, this is from the community aspect. Playing in the pool means just that. That really doesn’t fit into a 3-foot lane. So from the community aspect, that’s what’s really needed so for everyone to kind of dismiss that is kind of a big problem in my book.” You can hear that for yourself at 1:09:40.
Meanwhile, his co-founder, Gary Kasik, commented: “You’re building a pool for the school, for the students, and for our student-athletes. That’s about competition, so take away the shallow lane. There were a lot of comments about how we’re building this for the community; the city has voted unanimously to build another pool.” On one hand, McIntosh wants the plan to focus on community use, while Kasik believes the pool should mainly serve student-athletes. These mixed messages make it hard to understand their real concern. Furthermore, Kasik’s claim that the city has voted to build another pool is misleading. While the city council voted unanimously to end the joint-use agreement with LBUSD, they have not committed to constructing a second pool. In fact, the city has openly acknowledged that they currently have neither a location nor the necessary funds to build a new pool.
While it is easy to criticize and perhaps easier still to propose solutions, real progress requires working together, understanding the nuances of our district, and finding a shared path forward. We live in a community that demands accountability, and LBUSD has consistently met that demand, continuously striving to support every student, every day.
As we consider who will guide our schools in the future, it is important to reflect on the kind of leadership that will genuinely serve our students, families, and community. As a resident, I will be voting for Jan Vickers and Lauren Boeck — leaders who understand the complexities of our district and are committed to fostering its continued growth and success. We should not waste taxpayer dollars on petty arguments that consume staff time and divert focus from what truly matters — providing the best possible education for all.
James Kelly is a trustee of the Laguna Beach Unified School District and a 36-year Laguna Beach homeowner. He is writing as a public citizen.
