School Board Meeting Wrap-Up

The following is from the March 8 meeting of the Laguna Beach Board of Education.

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PTA Founders recognized

The board recognized the efforts of the Laguna Beach PTA during Tuesday’s school board meeting by honoring PTA Founders Recognition Day. The day traditionally occurs around Feb. 17 and is meant distinguish the PTA, the largest child advocacy organization in the U.S.

PTA council president Melanie Lewis, Thurston PTA president Lynn Gregory, El Morro PTA president Elaine Brashier, Top of the World PTA president Tammy Skenderian and PTA council secretary Kathleen Fay stood up to applause and various members of the board shared their approval of their hard work for Laguna schools.

“There is no organization I have a deeper respect for than PTA,” said clerk Betsey Jenkins.

Jan Vickers, a member of the board, agreed that the PTA is indispensible.

“It’s invaluable to the education of our children,” she said.

Supt. Sherine Smith noted that Laguna’s PTA logged 46,790 hours last school year.

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Administrators commended

School administrators were also commended for their hard work by announcing the first week of March as “Week of the School Administrator.”

“We are so lucky to have the leaders that we have,” said president Theresa O’Hare.

LBHS Principal Don Austin, Thurston Middle School Principal Joanne Culverhouse, Top of the World Principal Ron La Motte and El Morro Principal Chris Duddy were present and recognized by the board for their efforts. Smith shared that leadership is second only to classroom instruction when it comes to what students learn in school.

Other administrators that were present include technology director Victor Guthrie, facilities director Eric Jetta, fiscal services director Dean West and special education director Irene White.

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Technology policy reviewed

The board briefly discussed the modified technology policy for staff. The employee policy states that all files, e-mails and information are property of the district. Electronic equipment should only be used for educational and work-related matters. It also states that hacking and vandalism will be punished accordingly.

The next school board meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on March 22 at district headquarters, 550 Blumont St.