News Archive

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — Laguna Beach Unified School District has named Director of Facilities and Sustainability Ryan Zajda the recipient of the 2026 Spirit of Laguna Award.

Laguna Beach Unified School District has selected longtime LBUSD educator and arts leader Alexis Karol to serve as the district’s coordinator of visual and performing arts, a new role focused on strengthening arts education, expanding student access, and deepening partnerships with Laguna Beach’s arts community.

El Morro Elementary School teacher Kathleen Margaretich has been named a 2026 Outstanding K–12 STEM Educator by the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE). Margaretich is among 11 Orange County educators and community leaders selected for the 2026 Outstanding STEM Educator Awards, which recognize individuals expanding opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, LBUSD will transition back to the Raptor Volunteer Management System. As part of this change, all volunteers, both new and returning, will need to create a new Raptor account before volunteering at any school or district activity.

The Festival of Arts (FOA) Foundation awarded $18,500 in grant funding to support student arts programs at Laguna Beach High School and Thurston Middle School. The funding enhances programs in ceramics, visual art, photography, and theatre by providing students access to professional-grade materials and hands-on learning experiences that strengthen connections to the broader arts community.

The Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) has appointed Christian Esperanza as its District Athletics Administrator. Esperanza began serving in the role in July 2026 and will succeed Denise Selbe, Ed.D., upon her retirement in August 2026.

The required annual Parent Data Confirmation process is now open in the Aeries Parent Portal. All families must complete the process before the first day of school, and secondary families must do so before attending Breaker Day or Waverider Day. 

Fall athletics are just around the corner, and the Laguna Beach community is invited to cheer on the Breakers throughout the season. View the complete schedules, locations, and event details.

Community members are invited to meet Superintendent Don Austin at two informal meet-and-greet events as the 2026–27 school year approaches on Aug. 11 and Aug. 13. 

The Orange County Department of Education has engaged the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) to conduct an independent review of the Laguna Beach Unified School District's financial records through a process established in California law.