LBUSD on track fiscally, names board president
Although many schools around the state are on shaky fiscal ground, Laguna Beach is solid and will be able to pay its bills for two years out.
The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education approved a positive certification for its 2012-13 first interim report at its Tuesday meeting.
“The district will meet its obligations and needs for not only the current fiscal year, but the next two,” said assistant Supt. of Business Services Dean West at the meeting.
West reported the district was seeing increased revenues with secured property taxes up 0.5% over the previous year, a $25,000 rebate from Blue Shield, $350,000 from the Aliso Option and donations.
• The board also selected member William Landsiedel as its new president and honored outgoing President Betsy Jenkins.
Member Jan Vickers nominated Landsiedel for the position and he was unanimously chosen.
Vickers was also unanimously approved as board clerk after a nomination by Jenkins.
The board honored Jenkins, who served as president for the past year and has served on the board since December 2002, for her service. It was her second time serving as president.
Jenkins devoted many hours to providing vision, support, direction and leadership to the district, which led to high levels of student achievement and fiscal transparency, Landsiedel said while reading a proclamation.
She showed unwavering support of the performing arts and drug and alcohol prevention programs, and always made the needs of Laguna’s students her first priority, he said.
“I have loved every minute of serving as president of the board,” Jenkins said to a standing ovation. “Thank you so much.”
• The board also appointed Corey Brown the Laguna Beach High School varsity head football coach.
Brown will replace former head coach Mike Churchill, who will serve as athletic director. Brown has been an employee of the district since 2009, working as the high school’s transition coordinator, and served as varsity assistant football coach and head freshman/sophomore coach.
“When you watch Corey in action with the kids, he is absolutely magic with the kids,” said Principal Joanne Culverhouse.
A Merced native, Brown played football and basketball and participated in track in high school. He was a starting quarterback at Fresno City College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Cal State Stanislaus.
“Today is an extreme proud day for many different reasons,” Brown said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity and a great honor.... I’m truly excited.”
Twitter: @britneyjbarnes