Don Austin, who ran Palo Alto Unified for nearly eight years, is heading back to familiar turf in Orange County. He will become Laguna Beach Unified’s next superintendent on July 1, following a May 12 board vote that ends Dr. Jason Glass’s tenure at the end of May and sets up a fast handoff in district leadership.
In a press release, the Laguna Beach Unified school board said it had appointed Austin, effective July 1, and praised his track record of leading top-ranked school systems. Board president Sheri Morgan called him “an outstanding communicator and leader” in a statement via the Laguna Beach Unified School District. The district also tapped Manoj Roychowdhury to serve as interim superintendent while Austin gets ready to take over.
Palo Alto Exit And Payout
Austin’s move comes on the heels of a “mutual decision” to leave Palo Alto Unified that was announced on Feb. 20. In that agreement, the district agreed to pay him $596,802 in exchange for his resignation, according to the Palo Alto Daily Post. The deal also kept him on the books as superintendent emeritus through June 30 and included provisions barring him from suing the district, the Post reported. His exit unfolded against a backdrop of other high-profile settlements and community disputes that have kept Palo Alto school governance in the spotlight.
Why Laguna Beach Hired Him
Laguna Beach officials leaned heavily on Austin’s resume in rolling out the hire. The district’s announcement pointed to his more than 30 years in education, including a five-year stint as principal of Laguna Beach High School and previous superintendent roles that coincided with top state rankings, per the Laguna Beach Unified School District. Board members said his experience in budgeting, student achievement, and staff development matches the district’s need for steady leadership during a period of governance transition.
Transition And Local Response
Coverage of the May 14 school board meeting flagged just how quickly the district moved to line up an interim leader and a permanent replacement. Parents and staff used the meeting to press for more transparency around the process, according to Spotlight Schools. District officials, for their part, said day-to-day operations at schools will continue as usual while the system prepares a full onboarding plan for Austin ahead of his July start.
Legal And Governance Questions
The reliance on separation agreements and sizable payouts has renewed questions about transparency and board decision-making in both districts, the Palo Alto Daily Post reported. Community groups are expected to keep a close eye on how Laguna Beach’s new superintendent approaches budgets, student services, and broader governance. Board members say bringing in a leader who already knows the community should help steady the ship during the transition, while parents and staff are signaling they will be looking for clear follow-through rather than just reassuring words.
