LBUSD School Board Candidate Forum — October 7, 2026

Watch the Oct. 7 LBUSD School Board forum replay, compare all five candidates’ answers to 11 questions, and search the transcript, including Measure A and AI.

Laguna Beach Election 2026 · Candidate forum Completed forum

LBUSD School Board Candidate Forum — October 7, 2026

Held Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 6:00–7:30 p.m. at Thurston Middle School Library.

Question-and-answer replay · 1:11:10 · Published by Video Vision. Open the original on YouTube →

Official organizer graphic

Laguna Beach Unified Council of PTAs forum flyer

The organizer’s flyer identifies the program as fair, balanced and nonpartisan, welcomes the entire Laguna Beach community and lists all five candidates.

Laguna Beach Unified Council of PTAs official candidate forum flyer · October 7, 2026
Official forum flyer from the Laguna Beach Unified Council of PTAs.

Continue election coverage

Previous recording and next candidate forum

Previous available recording

South Laguna Civic Association

October 6, 2026
Full video, searchable transcript and candidate answer timestamps.

Open video and transcript →

Forum held October 7 · Coverage updated October 8, 2026

Eleven School Board questions, all five candidates’ answers

Compare student voice, special education, classroom technology, Measure A, teacher trust, school safety and the candidates’ personal accomplishments. The public replay starts with the question rounds and does not include the event’s opening biographies.

Recording, transcript and attribution notes

Video Vision published the public question-and-answer replay on October 8. The original livestream link is now private. Moderator handoffs and the announced rotating ballot order identify the five speakers.

The locally archived text preserves automatic English captions with rolling display duplicates removed. Names, dates, numbers and technical terms can be misheard. Timestamps link to the opening of each indexed answer. The summaries and question headings are paraphrases; the video remains authoritative. Candidate and moderator claims about spending, legal obligations, staffing, test scores or other facts have not been independently verified by this answer index. The searchable transcript retains the source text without adding inferred speaker labels.

Original published recording →

Compare all 11 questions and answers
  1. Community representation · 0:30

    How would you represent students, parents, educators, staff, district leadership and community members when considering Board policies?

    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerrySees her primary responsibility as representing students and the community while working with staff to make the district function well.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalWould involve community stakeholders in high-level policy, use evidence and keep student outcomes central to decisions.
    • Kimberly SmithPrioritizes children’s education and stewardship of the basic-aid district’s financial resources through oversight and fiscal responsibility.
    • Elizabeth BatesWould keep communication open and weight community voices equally. Suggests clear agenda summaries and better notice of when particular topics will be discussed.
    • Joan MalczewskiWould keep decisions student-focused with parents, teachers and staff involved. Emphasizes schooling as a public asset with community and fiduciary responsibilities.
  2. Student voice and graduation decisions · 5:06

    How would you ensure student voices and school-site leadership are meaningfully considered in decisions such as high-school graduation?

    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerrySupports student voice and says the superintendent was asked to let the site decide with both sides heard and students fully informed. Says the Board became involved because that did not occur.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalSays graduation location should be a site-level decision informed by students and school leadership, rather than a Board decision.
    • Kimberly SmithAgrees it is a site decision. Would ask administrators which voices and concerns were heard before weighing a consequential issue.
    • Elizabeth BatesWants students given complete information about both venues so they can make an informed choice, with the school site ensuring balanced information.
    • Joan MalczewskiSupports student representatives and student input. Says the Board could discuss the issue, but it should not have been an action item on a short timeline after graduation plans were made.
  3. Special education and inclusion · 10:25

    What role should the Board play in supporting students with disabilities and IEPs, and what should guide programs and services?

    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerryDescribes a feasibility study to bring some students back to LBUSD, inclusion and buddy programs, transition workshops and work toward an autism-friendly community.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalNotes legal and confidentiality limits but sees opportunities for empathy, dignity, inclusion and continued conversations so parents feel less alone in navigating services.
    • Kimberly SmithWants every student to have appropriate education and resources. Describes listening to special-education families and prioritizes information, collaboration and support through difficult decisions.
    • Elizabeth BatesDescribes her own children’s IEP experience and strong staff support. Wants students welcomed in district schools rather than sent elsewhere, with teachers and parents supported.
    • Joan MalczewskiNotes legal limits on Board involvement and access to individual student information. Wants better communication and partnerships with families after listening to their concerns.
  4. Classroom technology and AI · 19:46

    What role should technology, AI and digital devices have in classrooms?

    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerrySupports limited elementary screen time and hands-on learning. Wants appropriate AI preparation for future careers and guidance on when and how teachers should use it.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalSupports age-appropriate use, with younger students practicing foundational skills and older students learning about AI bias, privacy, limitations and responsible evaluation.
    • Kimberly SmithFavors teacher-centered learning and as little elementary screen time as possible, while preparing students for the future through critical thinking, collaboration and understanding information bias.
    • Elizabeth BatesWould slow adoption of AI and reduce K–5 screen time, favor handwriting and social interaction, and introduce AI more cautiously as older students prepare for careers.
    • Joan MalczewskiGenerally opposes elementary screens and would limit middle-school use while meeting state requirements. Wants learning goals to determine when technology supports teachers rather than replaces them.
  5. Evidence for technology policy · 25:21

    What principles, research and expertise should guide student technology policies?

    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerrySupports revisiting existing policies and involving students, community members and experts in a committee to guide AI decisions.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalWould rely on specialist staff recommendations, student input and recurring Board discussions or study sessions as research and technology change.
    • Kimberly SmithDescribes discussions with district education-technology staff. Wants thoughtful policies, investment in teachers and education for parents, avoiding rushed adoption of new tools.
    • Elizabeth BatesWould listen to teachers and current studies, including concerns about phones and attention, and proceed cautiously as AI’s effects become clearer.
    • Joan MalczewskiWants adaptable policies and current educational research, citing handwriting, memory and concerns about automatic spelling tools in elementary learning.
  6. District strengths and improvements · 30:24

    What are LBUSD’s greatest strengths and opportunities for improvement, and how would they shape your Board work?

    Bates and Malczewski disagree about the meaning of the cited mathematics figure. The archive reports the disagreement without treating the figure as a verified district finding.
    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerryIdentifies students as a strength. Supports earlier career exploration with room to change direction and using drama and stories to develop empathy and inclusion.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalWants to look beyond high averages to whether every student is challenged and connected to an adult. Supports coherent K–12 curriculum, future readiness and whole-child support.
    • Kimberly SmithIdentifies teachers and staff as the district’s strength. Says rebuilding trust after no-confidence votes is necessary so educators can do their work effectively.
    • Elizabeth BatesPraises staff and individual student support. Raises concerns about mathematics outcomes from eighth to eleventh grade and wants to understand and address that gap.
    • Joan MalczewskiWants a stronger culture of reading and writing alongside innovation and attention to learning. Says teacher trust must be rebuilt and questions Bates’s characterization of the mathematics data.
  7. Measure A and facilities · 39:10

    What is your position on Measure A and the needs identified in the updated Facilities Master Plan?

    Tax costs, matching funds, safety claims and legal advice are candidates’ descriptions. Support for letting voters decide is not an endorsement of the measure.
    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerryDeclines to take a side, citing advice from legal counsel and concern about jeopardizing the bond. Describes aging buildings, maintenance needs and a desire for a larger Thurston gym.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalExplicitly supports Measure A, describing $83 million for facilities, potential state matching funds, fire hardening and repairs, with a citizens oversight committee.
    • Kimberly SmithExplicitly supports Measure A for long-term capital improvements, fire safety, labs and building systems rather than salaries or arbitrary projects.
    • Elizabeth BatesSays she cannot get behind Measure A as presented. Questions messaging about urgent hazards, wants the full project and tax picture disclosed, and favors fire hardening and school kitchens.
    • Joan MalczewskiStrongly supports Measure A as a candidate and parent. Points to the age of the buildings and argues that delaying repairs increases costs, while distinguishing facilities needs from an immediate emergency.
  8. PTA, SchoolPower and community organizations · 47:26

    How have you engaged with PTA, SchoolPower and other student-support organizations, and how would you work with them on the Board?

    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerryDescribes Garden Club, school-garden, museum and Women’s Club work. Wants more student access to art and creative opportunities.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalDescribes PTA leadership at Top of the World and Thurston, communications and yearbook work, dance teaching and SchoolPower trusteeship. Would continue community service on the Board.
    • Kimberly SmithDescribes PTA, SchoolPower and sports involvement. Supports continuing collaboration to give students a well-rounded experience beyond grades.
    • Elizabeth BatesSupports PTA, SchoolPower, volunteers and organizations that improve student life, drawing on nearly three decades as a district parent.
    • Joan MalczewskiDescribes membership in all four PTAs, PTA Council representation, SchoolPower support and Boys & Girls Club and sports involvement. Values grants and after-school programs.
  9. Teacher and staff trust · 53:03

    How would you foster productive relationships, communication and trust with teachers, staff and employee organizations?

    Perry’s description of the hiring provision is an attributed claim; this index does not independently interpret the collective bargaining agreement.
    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerryEmphasizes respect and communication but says the Board must represent students in negotiations. Criticizes a contract provision she says limits hiring experienced teachers.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalWould build on longstanding volunteer relationships by listening first, asking what staff need and allocating resources to help them serve students.
    • Kimberly SmithWould consult before major decisions, respect the governance chain, avoid daily operational interference, allow concerns without retaliation, bargain in good faith and follow through professionally.
    • Elizabeth BatesWould build bridges through open communication, listening and availability so staff know their concerns are heard.
    • Joan MalczewskiWould ask teachers and unions how to rebuild trust after no-confidence votes, demonstrate respect for expertise and put student needs at the center of collaborative work.
  10. Student well-being and school safety · 1:00:01

    What opportunities would you pursue to strengthen student well-being and school safety?

    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerryDescribes bus safety work, cameras and a still-pending monitor. Wants counseling to help students form friendships as well as connect with trusted adults.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalSupports existing counselors, social workers and school resource officers. Highlights a pilot connecting each student with an adult who believes in their success and would use staff recommendations to guide resources.
    • Kimberly SmithTreats physical and emotional safety as central Board responsibilities and supports regular examination and improvement of the district’s existing work.
    • Elizabeth BatesPraises campus safety and counseling. Would collaborate with teachers and staff, address bullying early and model respectful adult behavior.
    • Joan MalczewskiSupports continued student surveys and access to trusted adults, and would extend partnerships to special-education families while reviewing district well-being reports.
  11. Personal accomplishments · 1:06:33

    What personal accomplishment are you proud of?

    Read candidate answers
    • Dee PerryIs proud of raising children, including foster and guardianship children, who are loving, inclusive and concerned about the world.
    • Shaheen Sheik-SadhalIs proud of being a mother and showing her children that community service is a family value.
    • Kimberly SmithIs proud of her children and choosing a partner who shares parenting responsibilities and contributes to who they are.
    • Elizabeth BatesIs proud of raising four children as a mother from a young age and describes them as her greatest accomplishment.
    • Joan MalczewskiIs proud of the five children she and her husband raised, their commitment to giving back and the close family relationships they maintain.

Dee Perry

View candidate profile →
Read 11 answers
  • 1. Community representationSees her primary responsibility as representing students and the community while working with staff to make the district function well.
  • 2. Student voice and graduation decisionsSupports student voice and says the superintendent was asked to let the site decide with both sides heard and students fully informed. Says the Board became involved because that did not occur.
  • 3. Special education and inclusionDescribes a feasibility study to bring some students back to LBUSD, inclusion and buddy programs, transition workshops and work toward an autism-friendly community.
  • 4. Classroom technology and AISupports limited elementary screen time and hands-on learning. Wants appropriate AI preparation for future careers and guidance on when and how teachers should use it.
  • 5. Evidence for technology policySupports revisiting existing policies and involving students, community members and experts in a committee to guide AI decisions.
  • 6. District strengths and improvementsIdentifies students as a strength. Supports earlier career exploration with room to change direction and using drama and stories to develop empathy and inclusion.
  • 7. Measure A and facilitiesDeclines to take a side, citing advice from legal counsel and concern about jeopardizing the bond. Describes aging buildings, maintenance needs and a desire for a larger Thurston gym.
  • 8. PTA, SchoolPower and community organizationsDescribes Garden Club, school-garden, museum and Women’s Club work. Wants more student access to art and creative opportunities.
  • 9. Teacher and staff trustEmphasizes respect and communication but says the Board must represent students in negotiations. Criticizes a contract provision she says limits hiring experienced teachers.
  • 10. Student well-being and school safetyDescribes bus safety work, cameras and a still-pending monitor. Wants counseling to help students form friendships as well as connect with trusted adults.
  • 11. Personal accomplishmentsIs proud of raising children, including foster and guardianship children, who are loving, inclusive and concerned about the world.

Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal

View candidate profile →
Read 11 answers
  • 1. Community representationWould involve community stakeholders in high-level policy, use evidence and keep student outcomes central to decisions.
  • 2. Student voice and graduation decisionsSays graduation location should be a site-level decision informed by students and school leadership, rather than a Board decision.
  • 3. Special education and inclusionNotes legal and confidentiality limits but sees opportunities for empathy, dignity, inclusion and continued conversations so parents feel less alone in navigating services.
  • 4. Classroom technology and AISupports age-appropriate use, with younger students practicing foundational skills and older students learning about AI bias, privacy, limitations and responsible evaluation.
  • 5. Evidence for technology policyWould rely on specialist staff recommendations, student input and recurring Board discussions or study sessions as research and technology change.
  • 6. District strengths and improvementsWants to look beyond high averages to whether every student is challenged and connected to an adult. Supports coherent K–12 curriculum, future readiness and whole-child support.
  • 7. Measure A and facilitiesExplicitly supports Measure A, describing $83 million for facilities, potential state matching funds, fire hardening and repairs, with a citizens oversight committee.
  • 8. PTA, SchoolPower and community organizationsDescribes PTA leadership at Top of the World and Thurston, communications and yearbook work, dance teaching and SchoolPower trusteeship. Would continue community service on the Board.
  • 9. Teacher and staff trustWould build on longstanding volunteer relationships by listening first, asking what staff need and allocating resources to help them serve students.
  • 10. Student well-being and school safetySupports existing counselors, social workers and school resource officers. Highlights a pilot connecting each student with an adult who believes in their success and would use staff recommendations to guide resources.
  • 11. Personal accomplishmentsIs proud of being a mother and showing her children that community service is a family value.

Kimberly Smith

View candidate profile →
Read 11 answers
  • 1. Community representationPrioritizes children’s education and stewardship of the basic-aid district’s financial resources through oversight and fiscal responsibility.
  • 2. Student voice and graduation decisionsAgrees it is a site decision. Would ask administrators which voices and concerns were heard before weighing a consequential issue.
  • 3. Special education and inclusionWants every student to have appropriate education and resources. Describes listening to special-education families and prioritizes information, collaboration and support through difficult decisions.
  • 4. Classroom technology and AIFavors teacher-centered learning and as little elementary screen time as possible, while preparing students for the future through critical thinking, collaboration and understanding information bias.
  • 5. Evidence for technology policyDescribes discussions with district education-technology staff. Wants thoughtful policies, investment in teachers and education for parents, avoiding rushed adoption of new tools.
  • 6. District strengths and improvementsIdentifies teachers and staff as the district’s strength. Says rebuilding trust after no-confidence votes is necessary so educators can do their work effectively.
  • 7. Measure A and facilitiesExplicitly supports Measure A for long-term capital improvements, fire safety, labs and building systems rather than salaries or arbitrary projects.
  • 8. PTA, SchoolPower and community organizationsDescribes PTA, SchoolPower and sports involvement. Supports continuing collaboration to give students a well-rounded experience beyond grades.
  • 9. Teacher and staff trustWould consult before major decisions, respect the governance chain, avoid daily operational interference, allow concerns without retaliation, bargain in good faith and follow through professionally.
  • 10. Student well-being and school safetyTreats physical and emotional safety as central Board responsibilities and supports regular examination and improvement of the district’s existing work.
  • 11. Personal accomplishmentsIs proud of her children and choosing a partner who shares parenting responsibilities and contributes to who they are.

Elizabeth Bates

View candidate profile →
Read 11 answers

Joan Malczewski

View candidate profile →
Read 11 answers
  • 1. Community representationWould keep decisions student-focused with parents, teachers and staff involved. Emphasizes schooling as a public asset with community and fiduciary responsibilities.
  • 2. Student voice and graduation decisionsSupports student representatives and student input. Says the Board could discuss the issue, but it should not have been an action item on a short timeline after graduation plans were made.
  • 3. Special education and inclusionNotes legal limits on Board involvement and access to individual student information. Wants better communication and partnerships with families after listening to their concerns.
  • 4. Classroom technology and AIGenerally opposes elementary screens and would limit middle-school use while meeting state requirements. Wants learning goals to determine when technology supports teachers rather than replaces them.
  • 5. Evidence for technology policyWants adaptable policies and current educational research, citing handwriting, memory and concerns about automatic spelling tools in elementary learning.
  • 6. District strengths and improvementsWants a stronger culture of reading and writing alongside innovation and attention to learning. Says teacher trust must be rebuilt and questions Bates’s characterization of the mathematics data.
  • 7. Measure A and facilitiesStrongly supports Measure A as a candidate and parent. Points to the age of the buildings and argues that delaying repairs increases costs, while distinguishing facilities needs from an immediate emergency.
  • 8. PTA, SchoolPower and community organizationsDescribes membership in all four PTAs, PTA Council representation, SchoolPower support and Boys & Girls Club and sports involvement. Values grants and after-school programs.
  • 9. Teacher and staff trustWould ask teachers and unions how to rebuild trust after no-confidence votes, demonstrate respect for expertise and put student needs at the center of collaborative work.
  • 10. Student well-being and school safetySupports continued student surveys and access to trusted adults, and would extend partnerships to special-education families while reviewing district well-being reports.
  • 11. Personal accomplishmentsIs proud of the five children she and her husband raised, their commitment to giving back and the close family relationships they maintain.

Search the complete caption transcript

Showing all 231 timestamped passages.

Download readable automatic captions · Original VTT captions

Read all timestamped passages
  1. 0:08All right, let's start the candidate form questions. The first question is the Lagona Beach community. Oh, we're going to start with D and we'll move this way and then the next question we will start with Shaheen and move this way all the way around and we
  2. 0:26alternate all the way for all the questions. So the first question goes to D. The Lagouna Beach community includes students, parents, educators, staff, district leadership, and community members. How do you view your role in representing these different
  3. 0:47perspectives and how would you engage with the community when considering board policies? You have 60 seconds. >> Thank you. As a board member, my biggest job is to really represent the community and to repres represent our students. Of
  4. 1:06course, I want to work with all of the staff and make things work for everyone, but my job is really representing community and students. >> Vicki, did you say you're going to repeat the question each time or that is it?
  5. 1:25>> I can repeat it for you. The Lagouna Beach community includes students, parents, educators, staff, district leadership, and community members. How do you view your role in representing these different perspectives? And how would you engage with the community when
  6. 1:44considering board policies? 60 seconds. >> So much of our work as as a board is to direct high level policy and involve stakeholder input. So there's a lot of work we do with community engagement on what they think, but the end of the day, our job as a board is to make sure that
  7. 2:03we are first and foremost focused on student outcomes because that's the charge that the community has given us as schoolboard members is to make sure that we are building the best and most excellent school district. So that is my plan to engage with community but
  8. 2:18ultimately look at the data and do what's best for kids. Thanks. >> Thank you. I'm sorry, Kimberly. Would you like me to repeat the question? >> I've got it. Thank you. >> Uh, I'm actually going to build upon what Shaheen says because I completely
  9. 2:31agree with the statement that Shaheen said. First and foremost, our role is to be good stewards for the betterment of our children's education. First and foremost, we are also responsible for a diverse number of stakeholders like you mentioned the community. It is inc
  10. 2:47imperative that we are good stewards of the financial resources that we are granted as a basic aid district district from our community members. So ensuring that we have correct oversight uh fiscal responsibility is what we are charged with doing on behalf of the the
  11. 3:05community. >> Yeah, I'll piggyback on that. Um as far as what my role would be um to engage the community always open line of communication. Every voice matters. Every voice is equally weighted in this community. Not one special interest
  12. 3:23group will have more influence than another. Um my door would always be open. Um cell phone number if you want it. I want to make sure that the community feels engaged and understood and heard. Um and you know just as far as you know having
  13. 3:40the agenda posted um and easy to read and understand so not a long long agenda that people have to go through that um you know maybe there's um a summarization at the top of the agenda so people can understand uh what will be talked about that evening and um you
  14. 3:58know uh I would say just you know if people wanted to come to talk about a specific subject that the time can be posted when that would be uh when that subject would be discussed so that people can come at that time and then they can leave when they need to.
  15. 4:17>> So school districts represent many constituents um but the primary focus of what we do is uh be mindful of student needs and so we have to make every decision student focused and that requires us to involve parents, teachers, district staff. We do that in
  16. 4:34collaboration with the experts that help us to take care of our students. But I also recognize that schooling is a public asset and that means that we do have a responsibility to the community and we also have a fiduciary responsibility. Um, fortunately we have
  17. 4:51a fantastic communications office. We've made a lot of effort to reach members of the community and we get a lot of feedback from the community and that's something that I'm very mindful of and pay close attention to. Thank you. Shaheen, we'll start with you
  18. 5:09now. We received several questions from students related to the board's recent actions surrounding high school graduation. How would you as a board member ensure the student voice and the perspectives of school site leadership
  19. 5:26are meaningfully meaningfully considered and represented when making decisions that directly affect students and their school community. You have 60 seconds. >> I appreciate the kids sent questions in. Um again, as a board, we're supposed to say highle policy and accountability for
  20. 5:46our school district. As far as these types of decisions, graduation, it's really meant to be a sight decision. And I would love it if the kids where do the kids want to graduate, for example, in this instance. Um, it's really not supposed to be a board decision. So, in
  21. 6:00that way, best is to ask the kids what they're looking for. Best is to get the state the site leadership to understand what the logistics and concerns they're facing and then let them make the decision amongst themselves. The board just should stay out of those kinds of
  22. 6:13decisions. Kimberly, would you like me to read it again? >> I think I'm okay. Thank you. >> I think I'm okay. Thank you. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Uh, again, agree with Shaheen on the
  23. 6:22premise that this is a site decision. Any meaningful decision that the board is uh asked to weigh in on, I think it's imperative that we understand which voices have been heard, which ones are coming with concerns. if the student voice uh if they collectively feel that
  24. 6:39they should have a voice in a decision then I trust that our administrators will be taking that into account and that'll be certainly a question that I ask of them. >> Would you mind repeating please? >> Would you mind repeating please? >> Absolutely.
  25. 6:52>> Absolutely. We received several questions from students related to the board's recent action surrounding high school graduation. How would you as a school as a board member ensure that student voice and the perspectives of school site
  26. 7:07leadership are meaningful meaningfully considered and represented when making decisions that directly affect students and their community? You have 60 seconds. >> Yeah. So, um, as it pertains to high school graduation, um, we'll use that
  27. 7:23example since, um, you mentioned it. Um, I think that the student voice is is very meaningful and it should have been engaged. Um and I think that uh that voice or the students should have been told exactly what the details were for both graduation venues. Unfortunately,
  28. 7:41they weren't um given that information so that it so it's a balanced viewpoint from both sides. If they wanted the Irvine Bowl or if they wanted the uh the football field, they should have been given all the information by the site level. Um and a lot of kids didn't know
  29. 7:55where the Irvine Bowl was. So maybe um an auditor like a type of assembly or something that they could have understand all those sides. So I think it's really important that the information that the students have the right information so they can make a
  30. 8:09meaningful and informed decision and um I've always supported the student voice and I just think that site level should make sure that the kids um that are they're very well informed. >> I think student voice is very important. I'm a very strong supporter of our
  31. 8:27student board representatives and the super the superintendent council of students. I think we should seek student input at all times on this particular issue. Um I was happy to have the issue brought to a board meeting so that there could be a general discussion of the
  32. 8:44issues but that should not have been an action item. And with regard to student voice, what actually happened was it was brought to the board as an action item in the spring after people had already planned for graduation at Guyire Field and it was further there
  33. 9:03was more difficulty because it was on a short timeline and you know there wasn't enough engagement with the students um to to even have a voice because of the way that it was handled. So I strongly advocate for student voice and that this is a site
  34. 9:20level decision. >> D would you like me to repeat the >> D would you like me to repeat the question? >> I got it. Thanks. I am also a huge proponent of student voice and have championed that for years when people didn't even know what that was. In this
  35. 9:39case, we were the superintendent came to us at the end of August, beginning of September and asked us where we thought or if he should he didn't want to make a decision about where graduation was. He thought the site should do it. We agreed, but we gave
  36. 9:59stipulations. We said you need to make sure both sides are heard that people who want it at the bowl, people who want it on the field. Also, we want students informed about we don't want them to think the Irvine Bowl is in Irvine. We want them to understand that's right
  37. 10:17here and that did not happen and that's why it came to the board. >> Thank you, Kimberly. This one goes to you. What role should the board play in supporting students with disabilities and special needs, including students with IEPs? And what factors should guide
  38. 10:39decisions about programs and services? You have two minutes to answer. Every student in our district deserves to be cared for and educated by this district. Uh we Shaheen Joan and I had the great fortune of sitting down um with a number of special ed families
  39. 11:02within the district to understand what the needs are for their families because it is a very nuanced situation depending on where a student fits within that special education system. It is imperative for us to make sure that we are providing the resources so that
  40. 11:23every student has the right and the access to an education like any other student within our district. So I think there is a great opportunity for us after listening with this these families um to be able to engage further to be able to hear to educate them on what
  41. 11:43their options are. I think it's very scary, you know, human to human as a parent to walk into a situation into a district where your concern first and foremost is for your children. And there's a million questions that are being thrown at you, a million decisions
  42. 11:59that have to be made when you first enter into a discussion with the district. And I can understand how daunting that is. And so providing the opportunity for these families to be heard and to give them the information that they need to make the best
  43. 12:13decisions for their family is extraordinarily imperative. That collaboration is a necess is necessary and I think that we owe it to every student to ensure that we are rising to the occasion for them. >> Thank you. Elizabeth, do you want the
  44. 12:29question repeated? >> I think uh what role the board has with disability special needs. Um I think that we definitely need to support the teachers and staff um so that they are able to take care of all children in our district. Um I myself have myself have
  45. 12:45had children with IEPs. Um so I've been going to the meeting since day one. Um I can personally say that the teachers and staff have been amazing for my children. Um I don't think I could have done it without them. um and where my children have grown up and just become different
  46. 13:04people because of the support of teachers and staff in this district. It's it's really special and um and it's such a we just have an amazing community and district. Um every student belongs here. Um and as a board member, I would support any way possible to have all of
  47. 13:22our students here so they're they're not bust out of the community, so they feel that they're welcome here. I would do everything I can to make that happen. um and that every parent feels supported and understood and um again my door would always be open. I have a special
  48. 13:37place for IEP. >> So um going to the specifics of the question because IEEPs and some of the more detailed parts of the special education um context were brought up. I I want to point out to start that it's a very difficult issue as a board member
  49. 13:59because most of what happens with special education is regulated by state and federal mandates. So the board role in anything to do with IEPs or the special education process in terms of um both establishing or meeting the goals of IEPs has very little to do with the
  50. 14:20board. And so that can be really complicated because on top of that, as a board member, I've often heard concerns from parents. But the reality is is that because of federal law, no matter what case may be shared with the board, the board has no access to information about
  51. 14:40any individual student. So, we have to really think about it up here. That being said, I think that we can do better. I was so happy to um be able to speak with a group of special education parents last week. Um I'm mindful that our district does a great job, but as a
  52. 14:59board member, I felt like I could do more in terms of trying to understand what our parents need and how we can provide better communication and better support to some of our families. I don't know what that looks like, but I just know what I heard and I I learned a lot
  53. 15:16from that. Um, I think that generally speaking, it's about just cultivating strong partnerships between the district, the teachers, and the parents and figuring out what kind of supports we need.
  54. 15:44>> Thank you. [clears throat] This is an area near and dear to my heart and I am very involved in this area. For example, when our students were going to not be um able to stay here and sent to Saddleback because they're part of our SULPA. I went over
  55. 16:04there to see what kind of programs they would be in and there are some fabulous programs there, but it's a long way. um you go through Aliso Viejo and on the canyon it can take a long time to get there. We are looking at bringing some of our students back here partly, you
  56. 16:25know, just because we want them here with their friends and close to their families. So right now we are doing a feasibility study to see if we can bring some back. We also want more inclusion and one of the programs they have in Saddleback is a wonderful buddy program
  57. 16:41where each special needs student has a general education buddy and it's kids aren't forced to do that. They sign up and they want to do that and they have inclusion classes there like um a PE class is a walking class so you walk with your buddy. They have an art class.
  58. 17:02there are things that they do together that it really makes it more inclusive. Um, one of the things that parents would really like is more workshops on transition. They worry when their child goes from fifth grade to thirsten, when
  59. 17:23they go from thirsten to the high school. Those are are scary times. One of the things that I'm working on outside the board is trying to make Lagona Beach an autism friendly city. And one of the things that's really important, parents have told me, is
  60. 17:40working with our police department. And so we have a plan for that to start with our SRO's. So I wanted to speak about this from a couple points of view. As Joan said, our role as a board is constrained by federal and state law and the
  61. 18:00information that we get um which is um confidential under under legal requirements. But as we had met with some of these families um we actually sat in a circle and just listened and talked. There are things that we can do I think as a district and continue some
  62. 18:16we should be continuing these conversations. But the core of that conver of that conversation was about empathy and dignity and helping these parents feel not so alone in the process. So that is something that I feel committed to after
  63. 18:31this conversation with these families and I hope to have more conversations with these families. It's not necessarily a board thing. It's like a mom thing. And um what you know what they wanted was for themselves to not feel like they are navigating this
  64. 18:48process by themselves. And I think as Joan mentioned there were as I called it lowhanging fruit things that we could do for them to make that process uh feel smoother, more connected. And one of the things that came up again and again was around inclusion in our school district
  65. 19:04that they still felt that they were part of an LBUSD family. Um I know PTA does work on this on this front. Um we have events where we you know parents have advocated for for example sensory rooms at Boo Blast um and Bonanza. These are things that we can do as a district and
  66. 19:21we become we can become more mindful about these things um and just do better as a community. Um so that's kind of where I'm committed to. It's not necessarily a board function, but I think I would take that role as a servant leader in our community to see
  67. 19:36how we can enhance and um and make that a better experience for our families. Elizabeth, you're up. Uh, what role do you believe technology should have in the classroom, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and student access to
  68. 19:57digital devices and online resources? You have 60 seconds. Oh, this is a good one. Um, I think we need to pump the brakes on artificial intelligence. I think we went headlong into screens, one-on-one screens with our kiddos. And I think hindsight were
  69. 20:16coming to the conclusion that maybe that wasn't the best thing. I can personally attest to this. My children um when they were at to kindergarten and first grade, they were put in front of screens. And I think the teachers, they were like, "Okay, we got to we're doing this." And
  70. 20:29it was all for good. Like we got to, you know, stay, you know, [clears throat] up with the times. Um but unfortunately, our kids missed out on cursive handwriting. Um and a lot of social skills I think that they could have achieved when they weren't behind a
  71. 20:43screen. And so I think we're playing catch-up right now. And um I think that we do need to pump the brakes with technology. I think that we need to um bring cursive handwriting back and less screen time K through five. And um and then you know as we get into the high
  72. 20:58school years um they can start looking into AI and how it can help their future careers. So the answer to this question is going to change over time because there's a lot of new information that's coming out as we get more information in on
  73. 21:18instructional technology and AI. Um my general issue, my general feeling is that we should not have screens in uh elementary school and we should limit it even in middle school. The state requires us to use screens sometimes and um we obviously have to meet those state
  74. 21:40standards. The state also um has uh requires that we teach cursive and I know that our elementary schools do that. So I'm glad that that that's taking place. But the the difficulty around the conversation is it shouldn't start with how much screen time. It
  75. 21:58should start with what do students need to know and when do screens help them to achieve that and when do screens enhance what teachers are doing rather than replace what teachers are doing and those are the conversations we need to have.
  76. 22:16>> D would you like me to repeat the >> D would you like me to repeat the question? >> I think I'm fine. Thanks. >> Um I agree I agree with Joan and others. I think screen time should really be limited in elementary. We know that children learn much better hands-on and
  77. 22:32um also discussing um as far as AI, I know both LA and New York have moratoriums because they're not sure what to do with it. We I brought up on a board agenda AI and computer time. And I think in speaking with parents, they know that many jobs coming up will
  78. 22:53include AI. So they don't want it excluded. So we need to be mindful of careers for our kids, but doing it at the right time and figuring out how teachers can best use it. Right? So I think you're going to be hardressed to find anyone saying more
  79. 23:14screen time for the kids. So agreed. you know, we want to be mindful about the screen time and and preparing students for an AI world doesn't mean putting AI in every classroom at every age. Um, we want the younger kids to be reading deeply. We want them to be writing. We
  80. 23:30want them to be calculating. We want them to be creating. We want them to be reasoning. And there's something in the research that's a term called productive struggle. We want them to be doing productive struggle. And then for the older students, what we want is we want
  81. 23:44them to understand AI. We want them to understand bias and the limitations of AI. We want them to understand how you have to protect privacy, how you evaluate the outputs and how you use respons, how you use AI responsibly. So, it's not a yes or no. It's nuanced and
  82. 24:02we will have to keep having these conversations with our our teched um staff. Thank you. Uh I'm going to echo what Shaheen said and all of my uh compadres is up here. Uh so I am a technology CEO. I see firsthand how quickly things are
  83. 24:21changing. Uh it's very hard to be proactive in this world right now of AI. Quite frankly, I'm also a mother of a sixth grader and secondyear-old. And so I see firsthand what the draw to technology and screen time could do to our children. Um I think it is
  84. 24:38imperative that we are leading with teacher centric learning first and foremost especially at the uh elementary school level. Personally as a parent uh with that lens I'm an advocate for removing as much screen time as possible. Uh and as Shaheen had
  85. 24:56mentioned at the same time we need to prepare our students for the future that is the reality of what's happening today and the future. And so we need to be mindful of teaching them information bias. We need to um enhance critical thinking skills, collaboration, all of
  86. 25:11the innate human skills that a screen will never allow. Joan to you. What principles, research, or professional expertise would guide you when considering board policies related to student access to and use of technology?
  87. 25:36Well, we have board policies on student technology use and the board had a discussion about it last year and we looked at how we might might change that policy recognizing that we needed to have a policy that was um uh adaptable to how information about this might
  88. 25:57change. Um there's also a lot of education research that's come out that I think is really important for us to be uh mindful of. For example, students who take notes by hand process and remember a lot more information than students who type it into a computer. I wonder about
  89. 26:16the effects of things like spellch check on elementary student laptops. Um you know they they can't spell if we do that. So I think that we have to both have policies that keep us on top of it and on cutting edge and innovative and also be mindful of the new research as
  90. 26:36it comes in to think about student learning. >> Does it go all the way down? No. >> Does it go all the way down? No. >> Okay. >> Okay. As Joan said, we do have policies. We're looking always knowing that we might
  91. 26:54have to expand them. One of the things that we were looking at also was having a committee including students and community and our experts to help us further with these policies. What I looked at a few schools back east and they formed special committees of
  92. 27:14students just to give their expertise on what should be done with AI and then they brought that to the board and I think their voice is very important. So the principles that I would bring on this topic is really to lean into our experts. Um I am a lawyer. I don't have
  93. 27:35the cutting edge research down pat on what is best for students and technology use. But we have staff that's this is their job. So what I want to be able to do is bring these conversations back to the board. Maybe a study session to begin with and have these often. As Joan
  94. 27:52said, technology is moving so quickly and the research is also moving so quickly. So what we'd like to do is get these reports from the staff with their recommendations as the experts in the room and the students at the center of the table to understand what we should
  95. 28:07be doing and iterating as we need to as time goes on. >> Really stinks being after you Sheen. So again, agree with Shaheen. Uh I had the the pleasure of sitting down with Andy Crisp. For those that don't know, uh we lost our CTO uh to retirement a few
  96. 28:25earlier this year and we bifurcated the role out between uh edtech and it Andy Crisp who has been part of the district for many many years and is a beloved teacher has stepped into this role fortunately for our district. Uh and we got some time thinking about what the
  97. 28:41thoughtful approach is going to be with screen time. We don't want a knee-jerk reaction. We've seen other districts fail because they too quickly jumped into what was the best technology versus investing in the best teachers. And so there's a real opportunity right now,
  98. 28:56especially because of the climate of the board as it sits today. People are leaning and engaged. And so there's an opportunity for our district to educate parents just as much as children on what technology uh principles and thought we are putting into the curriculum. So, I'm
  99. 29:12really excited how thoughtful they're being and looking forward to seeing what they come up with. >> Oh, you have to go. I [laughter] >> uh student access to use of technology. I mean I mean I think we have to look at everything. I mean about phones in the
  100. 29:29classroom too. I think um a lot of parents are concerned about that and that our kids are not engaged in the classroom because they're on their phones. And um I think we could look to the teachers a lot to see what they say about it and if it is affecting their
  101. 29:45students and their grades and attention span. Um I would also you know echo um my compatriots up here as well regarding to relying on experts and new studies uh about technology. I think that we're um in a place that we're kind of in between right now and um we don't really know
  102. 30:06what's going to happen with AI. And so I think we just have to proceed cautiously and um with respect to experts and um and listen to our teachers. >> Okay. Do you love this? Follow the >> Okay. Do you love this? Follow the dancing. Uh D,
  103. 30:26what do you see as Laguna Beach's greatest strength and where do you see opportunities for improvement? How would those observations inform your work as a board member? You have two minutes. Thank you. So, our our greatest strengths, I think, are
  104. 30:50our students and always always looking at new ways to approach with them. For example, we are looking at career paths a lot more than we did before and at earlier ages, but letting students know that they can change them anywhere along the way. But if they choose something
  105. 31:11and they go for it and then they decide they don't like that, that's great. That's giving them information about themselves. And when it seems that when they choose a path and they feel good about it, their self-confidence improves, they are happier and more
  106. 31:33engaged all around. One of the things that uh we are really working on is the empathy factor. And to do that, we know that a lot of empathy comes from drama and stories and taking another position than your own. For instance, if you're a really shy person and you play a lion
  107. 31:58and you have to growl and pounce on people, that gives you another perspective. that gives our students another perspective and makes them more open and inclusive of students that are different. So, that's another thing that we're working
  108. 32:17on. We can all appreciate how what a great district we have. It's exceptional. It's one of the best in the state. That's our starting point. And it doesn't mean we ever stop asking the question on how we can continue to improve. So for me the
  109. 32:36question isn't are our averages high or our test scores high. It's is every student getting what they need to grow in the way that they want to grow. For me I talk a lot about how we do a lot of interventional work for kids that need some extra help and we have a lot of
  110. 32:52support I mean activities and things that high achieving kids can do. But there's this large swath of kids that I wonder about where are we challenging them enough? Do they know that they have a student I mean a teacher on campus or an adult on campus that believes in
  111. 33:10their success that they have that connection to an adult and that work's actually starting. Um it's exciting to see that it's starting. I think about our K through 12 vertical integration of the education. So, for tweaking curriculum at the elementary school, are
  112. 33:26we actually following through for middle school and high school and seeing how those things connect? Um, we talked about AI and future readiness. And the other piece of this is whole child support. I love the work that Dr. Keller is doing and can we do more in that in
  113. 33:41that arena as far as social emotional wellness. So, there's we're an exceptional district. There's so many things we can continue to work on and I'm would be thrilled to have these conversations with our staff and our educators as the experts to see what we
  114. 33:57can do together uh in collaboration with our um with our community and for the betterment of our students. My husband and I chose Lagona Beach primarily because of our schools. Uh first and foremost, our school districts are a part of the fabric of this
  115. 34:14community. And the reason that our schools are so great are because of the people. Um when we get asked what's our greatest strengths, it is the people that show up day in and day out for our students. Again, we can invest in technology, but investing in teachers is
  116. 34:29the ultimate return that we will see for our district. Unfortunately, for the last two years, our teachers have had a 90% no confidence vote in our board majority. When trust breaks down in any organization, it's very difficult for them to be able to do their job and to
  117. 34:45do it well. I am invested in rebuilding that trust. There is the opportunity first and foremost. They are the ones that are challenging our children, educating our children. They are the ones that are seeing our children. We need to get back to the basics and we
  118. 35:01have a great opportunity because this district is incredible. We just need to get back on track. So, um I had the great privilege of going to school here and attending the schools and um I I stayed here as a single working mama to raise my children
  119. 35:21here, four children through the district because I believe in this district and this our schools and the staff and the teachers. Um they are amazing. Um and I think they're they're some of the greatest strengths of our school district. Um, and also, you know,
  120. 35:38understanding the students on an individual level. Um, you know, especially the kids, the IEPs. I just, you know, the staff that I've witnessed and how they've worked with my children. Um, I, like I said earlier, I couldn't have asked for any more. Um, you know,
  121. 35:56I've noticed though, you know, for through K through five, the kids do grade into Thirstston. I have noticed though, you know, after 8th grade um that our math scores our scores are going down um up into 11th sk 11th grade. 40% of our um kiddos in 11th
  122. 36:13grade are not meeting state standards for mathematics, which um concerns me and and it affects my family personally. um we've kind of been through that and um so as a board member I would want to address that gap and try to figure out um what's going on between that age
  123. 36:33range you know 8th grade to 11th grade to figure out what's going on in mathematics and why the scores are going down um and uh you know I think that we can do that we're such a wealthy district and we have such devoted staff and teachers that um I think we can do
  124. 36:48it so thank So, I want to um echo what everyone else has said. We have an excellent school district, but we have an excellent school district because we try to consistently be innovative and mindful of test scores, mindful of programs, and
  125. 37:09aware of national um national issues that you know are the issues that are endemic to to many many schools across the nation. When I joined the board, I was interested in addressing problems of um instructional technology in the classroom. Um that was
  126. 37:28four years ago. The correlary to that, which I really continue to focus on, is that I would like to see our district build a culture of reading and writing. Um you might be surprised to know that 14% only of students nationwide report that they read for pleasure anymore. And
  127. 37:47this is not a problem of literacy. This is a problem of helping our students to develop the habits of mind like critical thinking, focus, endurance. Reading novels allows you to place yourself in the role of characters in a plot. It helps you to understand your
  128. 38:09community. It helps to make you better in our democracy. You know, it helps you to perform better across subjects. So that's an issue I've been very focused on. But to second what Kimberly said, the truth is is that it's hard to maintain excellence right now or be
  129. 38:27innovative because we are in a moment where we don't have a collaborative trusting relationship with our teachers. And while I have many ideas of what we need to do to continue building our district and be responsive to what we know, we have to rebuild trust and
  130. 38:45collaboration to work with our teachers to to do anything. I'd also like to point out I have no idea where 40% of our students aren't achieving meeting state uh scores in math came from. >> Yeah, doesn't mean you're not meeting state standards.
  131. 39:13>> Shaheen, what is your position on measure A and how do you believe the district should address the facil's needs identified in the 2026 updated facilities master plan? You have 90 seconds. >> Yes. On measure A. Um you guys, it
  132. 39:30unlocks $83 million for our kiddos. It doesn't increase our taxes from what we're already being paid. On average, the a household on the median amount that the h a household is paying is $115. That's like four. Yes. A year. Sorry. That's like four burritos, you
  133. 39:49know, these days. Um so yes on a and the thing is 20ome years ago you all by a rate of 80% unlocked that money for kids for which our children are benefiting. The thirsten gym didn't exist. It only existed because of that bond. Only
  134. 40:10exists because of that bond. And we now have this thriving thirsten inter mural sports program of which my kids take part in. Um, so I want to lead this district better than we found it. That means I got to help unlock 83 million bucks for our facilities improvements.
  135. 40:28Um, and that means yes on a it also means we get state matching funds about $18 million or so. So now we're talking about $und00 million to do things like fix leaky roofs and fire harden our schools. Um, so those needs that have already been addressed in our facilities
  136. 40:46master plan. It's in the ballot guide. you know exactly where the money is going to be spent. There's a citizens oversight committee that will do the work to make sure that we're staying on track for what we said we were going to do. Yes on a
  137. 40:59>> Yes. >> Yes. Hey, [laughter] >> I don't know. Um, pause my time. >> Oh, we're back. Yes. On a uh look, I I brought up uh earlier how it's a necessity for our board to be good steward, fiscal stewards for our
  138. 41:21community. Um, with a measure A, this doesn't just unlock dollars that go arbitrarily to willy-nilly whatever we want it to be. This is long-term capital improvements. This is not going to salary and one-off projects. This is allowing our district to do a number of
  139. 41:38things that are critical to the safety of our children and to the innovation that will help our children excel. Uh if you haven't heard the stat, it's very unfortunate when the Palisades fire happened. 13 of their schools went away. 13. We've had fires in our district. We
  140. 41:56know it's not when or if it's when. We need to make sure that we are being thoughtful and fire hardening our our institutions where our children are in day in and day out. We also need to think about our science lab. We need to think about infrastructure. If anyone
  141. 42:11owns a home, you know, you have to replace your roof every 20 years. You have plumbing, you have electricity. These are all things that are just part of maintenance that we will be able to get ahead of. And so because it does not extend or increase what we are paying
  142. 42:26today. Yes. Yes. Yes. So we have a $90 million budget every year. Um give or take a couple million here in Laguna Beach and um about 40,000 um per student give or take. Joan's double-checking me here. Um, and I am
  143. 42:49the only candidate that was on the facilities master plan committee. Um, and so I toured all the schools. Um, and the thing about measure A, uh, that I can't get behind is now I'm naturally inclined to want a bond measure for the schools being a parent. Um, and I'm
  144. 43:07really concerned about, uh, fire hardening. I'd love to get scratch kitchens at to W and Elmoro so that our kids um don't eat as much processed food and sugary foods. I think that that would be amazing. Um the thing about measure it's it's leading with asbestos
  145. 43:26and with gas leaks and I was on the facility master plan committee. There were no tier one items on that and that would be a tier one item which would be immediate need. There are only tier two and tier three items. Um, and so I don't like the fear-mongering leading. I think
  146. 43:42that Lagouna Beach voters are very intelligent voters and I think that they should be given the entire picture, not a curated version of the bond. And um, it would it would mean more taxes. Either the the bond stops in 2028 and the taxes fall off. Um, so we have to be
  147. 44:01honest about that too. There will be more taxes about 30 more years worth of taxes. So, as a current board member, I can say that we have a very fiscally sound school district. We're the only district in the area area that has a AAA rating.
  148. 44:21Um, and we've also been very uh smart about planning around our facilities. We have uh updated our facility master plan regularly. We have operated on the basis of that for many years. We've been very smart about putting money away to stay on top of repairs that we can do on an
  149. 44:43annual basis. But it's important to remember that our schools, some of them were built in the 60s. We have very old a very old plant. It's a beautiful plant, but it's an old plant. And as a parent and as a candidate, I support what our district is doing to
  150. 45:06try to maintain the buildings that we have. Fear-mongering would be calling everything tier one. We don't we don't have an emergency that has to be fixed tomorrow with a gas leak. That's true. But we do have facilities needs that need to be dealt with because the longer
  151. 45:24you wait, the more expensive they come. And so I am as a candidate and as a parent in the district, I'm a strong supporter. And I think that at $115 a year on average, it's a great investment in our schools and our students.
  152. 45:53Thank you. As as Joan said, legal counsel advised us not to take a side and I don't want to jeopardize the bond legally in any way. I am very pleased that we have been as good as we can about maintaining our buildings. Our parts of our high school are going to be
  153. 46:11a hundred in a year or two. Um Ryan Zeta has done a fabulous job. But even doing that, pipes get old, things happen. Many of us live in older homes and we know if we don't maintain them, the price goes up and up and up because you have to do more. I to um toured some of the dis
  154. 46:35schools in Capistrano district that are new newer much newer like under 20 years that have big problems because they have no budget for maintenance and they have not been able to pass a bond in I don't know how many years. I mean they've had a number fail and
  155. 46:57there definitely are needs. One of my primary uh number one need not need needs but one number one thing I would like for our students is a bigger gym at Thirstston so people can sit on both sides. Okay, Kimberly, I just want to let you
  156. 47:18know that we're almost finished. >> Okay. >> Okay. Four more questions and a little bit of closing. So, um, your question is, and we're going to start it off with you, Kimberly. What experience have you had engaging with
  157. 47:33organizations that support Lagouna Beach Unified School District students, including PTA and School Power Education Foundation? And how would you approach these organizations as a school board member? 60 seconds. So you brought up uh PTA and school
  158. 47:53power education. Uh I am engaged with both of those organizations. A PTA member as I mentioned earlier. Uh school power I am a contributor uh and volunteer. I am a grateful beneficiary uh from both of these organizations. I also belong to a number of sports clubs
  159. 48:13because of my kids in school. Uh we are proud water polo family. We play baseball, we play volleyball, we play football. Anything with a ball, we are playing. Um, and I think it's really important for our district to be engaged with all
  160. 48:31of these organizations because it's the well-roundedness of our children to the benefit of them, right? We're not a successful student isn't just grades, but the well-roundedness. And so, being able to engage and partner in various ways. I can't think on the spot of any
  161. 48:45interesting or creative way in which to do so, but I would certainly support an ongoing uh collaboration. Look, any um organization that supports our children, um I'm 100% a supporter of. Um and as a board member, um I would absolutely support the PTA, the
  162. 49:06organizers, the volunteers. Um, you know, I've had kids in this district for a long time, nearly three decades. So, um, you know, I would volunteer on campus and and do the normal things that moms do. Um, so yeah, just, you know, basically supporting School Power,
  163. 49:25supporting PTA, any organization that's going to support our kids and make student life better for them, I'm 100% for. Um, so I strongly support many organizations that do a lot for our school district.
  164. 49:43I'm grateful to all of them. Um, I'm a member of all four PTAs and I also, um, attend PTA meetings for my own child's school and try to remain active and aware there. Um, I also was this the board rep to the PTA council um, uh, up until last year. I um am a supporter of
  165. 50:06school power. I'm very grateful for the programs that school power does for our our schools. Um including running our afterchool program, giving grants to teachers, giving grants for classroom work. I loved last year when we had lunch with the wave rider and they got a
  166. 50:25grant to bring music there. I'm also uh I've been active in Boys and Girls Club. The basketball league had a huge impact on my child and many other sports organizations in the city. So I support them in any way I can.
  167. 50:52I've also worked with many organizations outside our school district to bring to bring money and opportunities into our district for our students. For example, I'm part of the garden club which supports our school gardens. And I've
  168. 51:10worked in the school gardens. My husband and I have helped build them. I'm also a part of the art museum which I love. I've been a dosent there for probably gosh 14 years maybe. And I would love I I'm so proud that we have a museum like this in our little town. And I would
  169. 51:31love all of our students to have the opportunity to visit every year, but busing is expensive and other things. But I'm a huge advocate for more art in the schools because of the creativity and all the things it gives to our students. Um I'm also a part uh you know
  170. 51:49I'm on different boards. I'm a on the board I've been on the board for the women's club which does help. >> So my experience uh engaging with uh PTA and school power. So, I was um the yearbook chair for Top of the World under P. These are all PTA experiences.
  171. 52:12Communications chair for PTA, the an afterchool Bollywood dance teacher for Top of the World. Um I was the PTA president at Top of the World for two years during COVID and three principles. I was the vice president of um the PTA at Thirsten as well as the president
  172. 52:30there for two years. and my husband and I were school power trustees for four years. He still sits on the endowment. Put another way, we decided to spend all of our free time giving back to this school and community because that's what we believed in. As a
  173. 52:45board member, that will continue. We love these schools. We moved here for these schools and we love all of you and we're happy to do what we can to lift all of our children up. Elizabeth, how would you as a board member foster
  174. 53:07productive relationships, communication, and trust between the board, teachers, staff, and employee organizations? you have 90 seconds. >> Uh yeah, I just um I keep coming back to communication. Um I think that's so
  175. 53:25important. Um I think what we've experienced in the past well past year, I've noticed that there's a lot of talking going on, but no one's really connecting. Um, and I think that, um, you know, somehow building a bridge to staff, to teachers, um, so that they
  176. 53:43know, you know, as a board member, if I'm elected, that I'm here, I'm listening, I'm concerned, and I want to hear what they have to say. Um, and what was the rest of the question? I'm so sorry. >> I can repeat it for you. How would you
  177. 53:58as a board member foster productive relationships, communication, and trust between the board, teachers, staff, and employee organizations? >> So, basically what I just said is just my door is always open and make sure
  178. 54:13people are talking, communicating, and um and uh fostering relationships. >> [clears throat] >> Um, this is a great question coming out of two years of no confidence votes from both of our unions in the board majority. Um, you know, I think the
  179. 54:34first thing that I'd like to do, um, when, you know, after the election, uh, is talk to the teachers and the union members and find out what it is we can do to rebuild that trust. And it's not about talking about loving our teachers. It's about demonstrating that we respect
  180. 54:53our teachers. We respect the expertise of our teachers and staff and that we would like to continue working with them in a collaborative way because nothing good in this district can happen without that. And so I'm very eager to do that work. Um our actions are important and
  181. 55:13it's particularly important in this moment because in order to need to move forward this is for me the primary goal and the teachers obviously our our staff have a lot of concerns. We need to address those concerns so that we can do real work on behalf of the students and
  182. 55:32what I hope is put students at the center of these discussions instead of all this background noise that's getting in the way of doing what the district needs to do. I agree with everyone. Um, communication and trust are paramount. Our staff needs
  183. 55:56to feel cared about and respected even though we may not always be on the same page. As a board member, sometimes um well, my role is to represent students and community. When we are doing negotiations, the teachers have their union to
  184. 56:16negotiate for them. The classified people have their union to negotiate for them. As a board we are supposed to be negotiating for the students and sometimes those are not totally aligned. For an example would be one of the one of the things in the teachers union
  185. 56:37contract is we cannot hire a teacher that has more than five years experience. Now, when we can afford that and that would be the best for our students, that doesn't make sense to me, especially in an area like um AP physics. There aren't there aren't that
  186. 56:58many people that are qualified. And to have somebody um that is doesn't have experience and isn't that good isn't the best for our students. Most districts do not have a clause like that. It says that the superintendent can make a judgment call on certain things. And I I
  187. 57:16I feel badly that people don't like it if I'm up negotiating for kids and not them. As a board member, I'm going to lean into the 10 years of volunteer work that I've been doing here with the district
  188. 57:33and all of the relationships that I've cultivated year after year after year um in the rooms with teachers and staff um and all the um various stakeholders. Um for me, the first thing we have to do is just listen. That's what I've been doing for
  189. 57:5010 years. First listen, ask what you need and then say, "How can I help?" That's literally the job of a school board member. what resources do you need and how can I allocate them in a way that makes you feel that you have the resources to be productive and best for
  190. 58:04our students. So for me, I want to lean into that process that I've developed over 10 years and continue that with our staff and our uh teachers. it's funny uh we're applying for a job. So I'm going to give you a little
  191. 58:26background in my experience. Uh I've run an organization. We have a board and as it was mentioned earlier, we've been recognized three times as an incapest place to work. That is not because we are homogeneous in thought. That is not because we are sitting here agreeing
  192. 58:40with each other every day. Naturally, there are going to be disagreements. That's understandable. That's expected. Diverse thought is what yields the highest outcome. It is necessity for us to be able to address difficult conversations with civility and ask
  193. 58:55meaningful questions, listen and come to the best decision possible for the outcome of our students. Um, in regards to how, I think about a few things. One, no more surprises. Major decisions affecting the classrooms, the working conditions, the staffing should be um
  194. 59:12should include consultation before the board reaches a decision, not after it has been made. respect the chain of governance. So board members should set direction and hold up um hold up accountability but not bypass administrators or direct directly engage
  195. 59:28with um with employees or insert themselves in a daily operation. We should listen without retaliation. So tech and the staff the the teachers and the staff must be uh forgive me scratch notes here be able to raise concerns including publicly without fear of
  196. 59:44retaliation. We need to treat employee expertise as essential. We need to bargain in good faith. We need to model professionalism publicly and we need to follow through. >> Okay, Joan, what opportunities do you see to strengthen student well-being and
  197. 1:00:07school safety in Laguna Beach Unified? And what role should the board play in addressing them? You have 90 seconds. Okay. So, so this is an area where I think that our um board and our district has done some really good work. Um we regularly survey our students and we
  198. 1:00:28really try to stay on top of making sure that there's someone in every school that our students can go to that they feel supported. Um so I think that that is not a job that is done. That's something that we all always need to stay on top of. What I would add to
  199. 1:00:45that, and this is coming out of my meeting last week with some of the parents of the special ed students, is thinking about how to extend some of that work so that our parents and students feel like the board and the district is working in partnership um
  200. 1:01:00with everybody and and I think that that will go a long way toward um you know, increasing the well-being of both our students and the families that are associated with the district. Um, you know, generally speaking, this is just something that we always have to be
  201. 1:01:17mindful of. We receive regular reports at board meetings on metrics around this stuff. And I think that we do a good job, but there's always more work to do. And I think as a board, [music] we have to continue pushing for that. And and that's what I would do.
  202. 1:01:43>> Thank you. Um, one of the areas that we worked on this year was the transportation committee worked on safety for students on the bus. Uh, we asked for a bus monitor and we thought that was happening. It hasn't yet. We're looking into that. Uh, cameras are on
  203. 1:02:00the bus now that also have recording devices so that we can look and see if um, something has happened. we know what has happened on the bus. We have a lot more information about if a bus is late, letting people know, etc. Another thing that we're looking at as far as
  204. 1:02:22well-being, we have a wonderful counseling staff when students seem to be lonely and have trouble. The ones that I have talked to say it they do have an an adult that they can go to, most of them that they trust, but some of them don't have a friend. And to
  205. 1:02:42bring that into it would be really helpful to help students find a friend, do group do group work so people can find someone that is similar to them or you know they both like something. So that is an area that I would really think really like us to work on.
  206. 1:03:09I think this is an area we do a really good job on and we can just continue to build on. We have one of the lowest counselor to student ratios in the state. I think it's 1 to 200. Um we have a social emotion emotional wellness director. We have social workers at each
  207. 1:03:23site. We have school resource officers at each site. These are things we should continue to build on. One of the things that I'm very interested in is this idea that I've spoke about before around whether or not a student knows that there's an adult that believes in their
  208. 1:03:38success. It's not just that they know they can go to them when they have a problem, but they actually know that there's an adult on campus that believes in them. And there's actually a pilot program happening right now. So to the extent a student wasn't a first of all,
  209. 1:03:50if they identify a teacher, that teacher is notified that a kid picked you as the person that believes in them. And as I understand it, some of the staff have ended up in tears knowing that a kid said that. To the extent a student hasn't identified a staff member,
  210. 1:04:03they're assigned staff to go out and reach out to them and get to know them. You guys, this is really cool work we're doing and I want to continue doing this work and seeing how the board can help allocate resources. So, from my perspective, we review our programs. We
  211. 1:04:16continue to examine what are best practices in the in these areas. we get the staff recommendations and then our job as a board is to make sure that we are stewarding and allocating resources for these improvements. >> 100% agree with you Shaheen. Uh first
  212. 1:04:31and foremost, our role and responsibility as a board is always the well-being and the safety of our students both physically and emotionally. Uh students can't show up to class and be able to absorb everything that we're throwing at them
  213. 1:04:45when they don't feel physically or emotionally safe. Um, and so I will second what uh what Shaheen has mentioned. We do an excellent job. There's always room for improvement, but foundationally it is critical that the board examines this in every possible
  214. 1:05:00way. >> Um, yeah, I mean, you guys made some great points. Um, and I would say I I always feel good dropping my kids off at school here. I I um I feel that they're really safe. Um, and so that's something especially in the climate of today's day
  215. 1:05:19and age where you hear about stuff on the news all the time and it's devastating and I I just I applaud um the officers on campus and and how how um how much our staff and teachers really care about our student safety um and well-being. Um, and I think that,
  216. 1:05:40you know, we we do we're really really in tune with our students and I think the counselors do an amazing job um with our kids and I think we can always do better and as a board member just collaborate with teachers and staff and um address bullying, nip it in the bud
  217. 1:05:59when stuff happens. I mean it happens, you know, but teach our kids like we model it from home, you know, and and we and and the way that we act in board meetings and on campus and and the adults in the room have a responsibility to our students um and to model that
  218. 1:06:17behavior and I think it's anti-bullying month, too. So, um anyway, I I think the school does a great job and um I would support uh staff and teachers Thank you D. Back to you. What is something that you have accomplished in your personal life that you are proud
  219. 1:06:39of? And you have 60 seconds. >> In my personal life or my career or my board life or personal life. [laughter] Okay. [gasps] Personal life. Um I am proud that I've um raised some very good kids. Um my husband and I were official guardians of
  220. 1:07:08two. I had two foster daughters that became mine and then another one. So, uh five kids that are all I'm proud of all of them. They're all loving human beings, very inclusive, and care about our world. And that's what [snorts] I would want for them. And I have tried to
  221. 1:07:30impart that to many of my students and Liz being one of them. So proud of her for joining me and running for school board and wanting to volunteer for our community. >> In my personal life that I'm proud of, I think being a mom. Um and
  222. 1:07:54yeah, raising two healthy, hopefully happy kids. Um and and making sure that they can see that service and giving back to community is a core value of our family. And so that's that's actually what I feel most proud of. I am most proud of my children. Uh, I
  223. 1:08:18am, you know, children, as any parent in the room can attest, part nature, part nurture. We do our best as we can. They come out who they are. >> Uh, but I also picked a great partner. Uh, that would be an incredible parent
  224. 1:08:35with alongside of me. I think that's an extraordinarily important decision in life. And our children wouldn't be who they are without my husband. So, I'm grateful for him. >> [laughter] >> I'm gonna echo what they said. Being a
  225. 1:08:55mom to my four children, to be able to raise my favorite human beings, like what a gift. Um, I've been a mom since I was 19 years old. So, I don't know life really that much without being a mom. Um, so my youngest is graduating 2027. So, I'm about to discover what that's
  226. 1:09:15like. I mean, obviously, you're going to worry all the time about your kids. I don't think you ever stop, but um but yeah, they are my most pinnacle of accomplishment and um if I died tomorrow, I'd be okay with it because I raised some amazing kids. I don't want
  227. 1:09:30that to happen, though. So, so this is a great opportunity for us all to hear about how proud proud [clears throat] we are as parents. Um I I also have to give the same answer. You know, my husband and I have raised together five children, and the four
  228. 1:09:46older ones are doing what we asked them to do, which is think about how blessed they are and figure out how to do something that really gave back to the community and the world in which we live. And so those kids are living all across the country. All of my older kids
  229. 1:10:02are in grad school. But the best thing about it is they come home all the time and we have so much fun. They're really like great fun kids and we travel and we play board games and you know just seeing your kids in your their 20s and I have now one one in my 30s just be solid
  230. 1:10:22human beings that are fun to be around and make me really laugh like that's just the best. So that's my proudest accomplishment for sure. So that's it. I want to thank all of you for stepping up. It is not easy as a former schoolboard member. It is not
  231. 1:10:40easy to run a campaign and sit up and ask uh difficult questions, but you all have done a wonderful job. And again, on behalf of fourth district PTA and the PTA, you are amazing all and um thank you again for stepping up to this job. [applause] Phyllis

Location and directions

Thurston Middle School Library

2100 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Open the location in Google Maps for current directions and place information.

Get directionsLaguna Beach PTA Council information

Candidate directory

Candidates in this forum race

Open a profile for sourced background, priorities, campaign links and public records. All five candidates speak in the public question-and-answer replay.

School Board candidates

Dee Perry, 2026 Laguna Beach School Board candidate Dee PerryIncumbentView profile → Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal, 2026 Laguna Beach School Board candidate Shaheen Sheik-SadhalAttorney/ParentView profile → Kimberly Smith, 2026 Laguna Beach School Board candidate Kimberly SmithTech CEO/ParentView profile → Elizabeth Bates, 2026 Laguna Beach School Board candidate Elizabeth BatesFiduciary/Business Woman/MotherView profile → Joan Malczewski, 2026 Laguna Beach School Board candidate Joan MalczewskiProfessor/ParentView profile →

Forum record

Completed October 7 at Thurston Middle School Library. The public Video Vision replay includes 11 question rounds with all five candidates; opening biographies are not included. Watch, compare answers and search the locally archived captions.

This independently hosted forum was announced by the Laguna Beach Unified Council of PTAs and is not part of the City Clerk’s City Council forum schedule. All five School Board candidates speak in the public replay.

Organizer and voter guide

About Laguna Beach Unified Council of PTAs

The Laguna Beach Unified Council of PTAs brings together the PTAs serving LBUSD schools and provides districtwide parent and community programs. The Council described this candidate forum as fair, balanced and nonpartisan and that it does not endorse, support or oppose candidates for elected office.

Why review it?

Three of the five LBUSD Board seats are on the November ballot. The October 7 school-board-only forum gave voters an opportunity to compare all five candidates. The public replay preserves 11 question rounds.

What subjects were covered?

  • Community representation, student voice and special education
  • Classroom screens, AI and technology policy
  • District improvements, Measure A and facilities
  • PTA, SchoolPower, teacher trust, well-being and school safety

How were questions gathered?

The PTA Council invited parents, caregivers, students, teachers and community members to submit questions through September 28. That deadline has passed. The archived form says the forum committee will represent major themes and community interests but cannot guarantee that every submitted question will be asked.

Contact the organizer →

Funding and endorsements

The PTA Council expressly states that the forum is fair, balanced and nonpartisan and that it does not endorse, support or oppose candidates. So Laguna likewise does not infer support from an invitation, attendance or forum participation.

Sources

Quick answers

LBUSD School Board forum FAQ

Can I watch the School Board forum online?

Yes. Video Vision published a public question-and-answer replay on October 8. The original livestream link is now private. This page embeds the public replay with 11 question rounds, all five candidates’ answer summaries and searchable automatic captions. Opening biographies are not included in the replay.

Who was invited to the LBUSD School Board candidate forum?

The Laguna Beach Unified Council of PTAs invited the entire Laguna Beach community, including parents, caregivers, students, teachers and other community members. The October 7 event is now complete.

Which candidates were invited?

The PTA Council says all five candidates running for the three open LBUSD School Board seats were invited. All five candidates speak in the public question-and-answer replay. The original invitation and directory are retained as event context.

Can I still submit a question for the candidates?

The PTA Council’s published question deadline was September 28, 2026, so submissions are now closed. The archived form remains linked as a source for the organizer’s question-selection process.

Was childcare offered for the forum?

The PTA Council advertised free childcare for ages 5 and older at the Boys & Girls Club Canyon Branch, with pizza and care through 8 p.m. The event and October 5 reservation deadline have passed; the original notice remains as context.

Is the PTA Council candidate forum nonpartisan?

Yes. The PTA Council describes the forum as fair, balanced and nonpartisan and states that it does not endorse, support or oppose candidates for elected office.

Verification: Schedule, invitation, question-submission and nonpartisan-host details follow the PTA Council announcement and linked organizer sources. Last checked October 8, 2026. Research and page maintenance by Michael Kovach for the So Laguna Neighborhood Association.