New superintendent is leading the charge of the school year, while board faces a records request from the District Attorney’s office
Coutesy of Fair Game in StuNews.com

There seem to be two paths our school district is currently heading down. First, we’re still in the throes of a new school year where excitement, new clubs and organizations, sports teams, etc. add to the excitement on local campuses.

We also have a new superintendent who I’m excited to meet, who appears to be doing all the right things, and someone who’s been impressive so far.

At the same time, the district’s board is still dealing with some old baggage. It’s the same old same old, dating back to the time leading up to and immediately following former Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass’ departure and the subsequent hiring of Superintendent Dr. Don Austin.

Here’s what’s up. Avery T. Harrison, a Senior Deputy District Attorney assigned to the Orange County District Attorney’s Special Prosecutions Unit, has submitted a detailed Public Records Act request to Laguna Beach Unified School District concerning the departure of Dr. Glass and the arrival of Superintendent Dr. Austin.

Harrison’s request is unusually specific. It seeks communications between LBUSD administrators, HR, board members, board attorneys and Glass concerning his mutual separation agreement and proposed separation date from March 1-June 1. It separately seeks communications concerning Austin’s availability, potential start dates, salary and benefits negotiations, proposed contracts and any authorization, approval or discussion of him as a candidate.

It also seeks records of any interviews or conversations with Austin between March 1 and May 14, as well as communications and drafts surrounding the district’s May 14 press release announcing Austin’s hiring.

Finally, the OCDA wants copies of previous Public Records Act requests and responses concerning either Glass’ separation or Austin’s hiring since March 1.

The requested dates and categories focus closely on the chronology and decision-making process surrounding when Dr. Glass’ departure was contemplated and/or negotiated, as well as when the discussions with Austin began. Who authorized those discussions? When were terms negotiated? And how much had been decided before the May 14 public announcement?

The records could also shed additional light on potential Brown Act/open-meeting/closed-session concerns previously raised in multiple citizen complaints.

Although nothing about the existence or status of any investigation can be determined from this request, the fact that the requester works in the OCDA’s Special Prosecutions Unit makes the request noteworthy given the office making it.

Is someone in trouble? There’s no way to tell from the records request alone.