Laguna Beach High Principal Austin to Step Down, Jump Districts

Principal Don Austin announced publicly today that after five years with the , he will not be returning to the high school as principal next school year.

“I am ready for the next professional challenge after 11 years as a high school principal,” he told Laguna Beach Patch.

That next challenge, he said, will be that of Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Huntington Beach Union High School District, where he will be responsible for “almost every aspect of curriculum, instruction and technology.”

It is with both a sense of accomplishment and the memories of an “incredible” experience that Austin says he’ll part ways.

“My biggest accomplishment will be measured in time,” he said. “But overall, I’d say things are stable now. Our kids love this school. People feel good about LBHS and where we’re heading.”

With rising test scores that place Laguna as one of the highest ranked schools in California; a visual and performing arts program that is now known throughout the region; teachers who strive to improve research-based instructional practices each day; and an outstanding athletic program that was ranked today as the fourth-best program in Orange County, Austin said he thinks his staff, students and the community expect success from now on.

“I am hoping we did a good enough job institutionalizing the best aspects of the school to ensure that will continue and evolve,” he said.