Quick look: Dr. Jason Glass, a veteran educator whose experience includes teaching, higher education, and district and state leadership, will become Laguna Beach Unified’s superintendent on July 1. Orange and Irvine Unified also recently named new leaders, while Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified is still conducting its search.
The Laguna Beach Unified School District has officially welcomed Dr. Jason E. Glass as its next superintendent, concluding a four-month nationwide search.
A veteran educator with more than 25 years of experience, Glass brings a wide-ranging background that includes classroom teaching, statewide leadership and executive roles in higher education. Most recently, he served as associate vice president of teaching and learning at Western Michigan University.
Glass was formally appointed during the Board of Education’s meeting on Monday, June 9. In a message to students, staff and families the following Wednesday, he said he’s honored to step into the role and looks forward to serving — and becoming part of — the Laguna Beach community.
“On recent visits to all four of our schools, I saw firsthand what makes Laguna Beach Unified truly exceptional,” he said. “I met enthusiastic and caring educators and staff, engaged and remarkable young people, and compassionate professional administrators who clearly love their work.”
“The learning I observed was rigorous, experience-driven and exactly the kind of work that will prepare LBUSD graduates to succeed in a rapidly changing world.”
Third-generation educator
Glass previously led Jeffco Public Schools, one of Colorado’s largest school districts with about 85,000 students, and Eagle County Schools in the state’s Vail and Beaver Creek region. At the state level, he served as commissioner of education in Kentucky and as Iowa’s chief state school officer, focusing on initiatives tied to deeper learning, educational equity and student well-being.
A third-generation educator, Glass began his career as a high school social studies teacher in eastern Kentucky and has taught at the university level. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Kentucky and a doctorate in education leadership from Seton Hall University.
In his welcome message, he acknowledged that the district has experienced a period of division and change but emphasized a desire to listen, build trust and unify the community around shared goals.
“There are real differences and perspectives in our community that we must bridge, but our differences are rooted in care, not conflict,” he wrote. “Everyone I have met in Laguna Beach genuinely cares about this community and its schools and wants them to thrive.”
Top priorities outlined
He outlined four major priorities to guide his initial months on the job: unifying the district and community, supporting staff, listening and responding to stakeholder input, and strengthening the district’s small-size advantage.
These efforts will culminate in a public report this fall outlining key strengths, areas for growth and a roadmap for the future.
Laguna Beach’s appointment comes amid a season of leadership transitions across Orange County. The Orange and Irvine Unified school districts have also recently selected new superintendents, while the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District is actively searching for its next chief.
Glass is expected to begin serving in his new role on July 1.