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Laguna Beach Unified selects replacement for ousted superintendent

May 15, 2026

Don Austin, a former superintendent of the Palo Alto Unified School District, has been selected to replace outgoing Laguna Beach Unified School District Superintendent Jason Glass.

LBUSD announced earlier this week that, after less than a year in his post, Glass will leave the district on May 31, in a “mutual separation agreement” with the board. Glass was in the first year of a four-year contract with an annual salary of $435,000.

A board majority of President Sheri Morgan, Howard Hills and Dee Perry voted to part ways with Glass, while board members James Kelly and Joan Malczewski voted in dissent.

Austin will start on July 1, according to a decision by the LBUSD board, which Morgan announced after a closed session during Thursday night’s board meeting at Thurston Middle School.

“Dr. Austin is an outstanding communicator and leader,” Morgan said. “Dr. Austin is in high demand as he wraps up his time at Palo Alto. Securing him on July 1 is a win for our district. Dr. Austin’s proven leadership will help us drive significant academic progress, maintain fiscal responsibility and improve governance and planning, especially during these complex times.”

According to the district statement, Austin has more than a decade of superintendent experience and 30 years of public education experience, including five years as the “highly effective principal of Laguna Beach High School.”

He is also known for strengthening student achievement, supporting mental health services, developing sustainable budgets, building leadership teams and improving district systems, the statement said. According to media reports, Austin resigned from his position at the Palo Alto District in February.

To support a smooth transition, the board also appointed Manoj Roychowdhury as interim superintendent.

“Manoj is a veteran school district administrator who brings steady leadership, sound judgment and a strong commitment to students, staff, and families,” the district statement said. “We appreciate his willingness to serve in this role during this transition and are confident that district operations will continue without disruption.”

The announcement came out just before the public session of the meeting was to start. The meeting room was full of parents, students and district staff who waited for the results since protesting Glass’s departure earlier in the day.

The group protesting on Thursday was unhappy with the board majority of Morgan, Hills and Perry, and the May 12 announcement of the “mutual agreement” between Glass and the board to depart the district.

Several students, a teacher and district parents chastised the three for allegedly “pushing” Glass out.

“Looking at the state of our district, the only credit we can give you is participation,” said Shannon Chastain, a teacher who identified herself as teaching at one of the district’s two elementary schools. “The recent dismissal of our superintendent wasn’t just a personnel change; it was a dismantling. It is painfully clear that this majority has no idea what it takes to run a school district, let alone one of the highest performing districts in the state.”

“You have taken a destination district and made it a place people are looking to leave,” she added, comparing recent action of the board majority to the plot of “The Lorax.”

“Just like the creatures in the story that have to find a new home once the environment becomes toxic, you are forcing out the very people who have made this district flow,” she said. “You have done a profound disservice to the professionals who work here and the students you serve. Shame on you.”

Another speaker, who said he had put four children through the school system and has two grandsons starting soon, said many residents valued Laguna Beach as a community because of its reputation for having a great school system.

“It was our pride and joy, and right now that is being devastated,” he said. “I wonder about the word competence. What is competence? When you hire a superintendent with a stellar resume, and you terminate that spirit within 10 months, does that speak to competence? I think there are enough people in this room and in this community to not let this issue lie. We are here for our students, and we are here for our community, and we will not go away.”

Orange County Register

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Laguna Beach Unified selects replacement for ousted superintendent

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