School Board Alters Track Policy Due to Public Demand

The Laguna Beach Unified School District has slightly loosened up its policy surrounding public use of the Laguna Beach High School track and field.

The original policy, approved at the end of 2010 and implemented Jan 1., stated that the track would be closed during school hours as well as 30 minutes before and after school. The Board of Education recently voted to lift the restriction that closed the field before and after school "in order to provide some flexibility and additional time for community use of the track,"  said Assistant Supt. of Instructional Services Nancy Hubbell.

The panel's re-evaluation of the policy came gathered to protest the district's decision to close the track.

The opposition came mostly from injured athletes who said they favored the track's rubber surface, mothers with strollers looking for a safe place to walk, and the elderly, who said they use the facility for exercise and to gather with  friends from the neighborhood.

In response to the protests, Supt. Sherine Smith reiterated that the closure was prompted by safety concerns, and although nothing untoward had taken place on campus, it was the district's duty to minimize risk. She also stated that several neighboring districts implement the same restrictions on their school grounds, and although many locals have expressed their belief that Laguna Beach is "special" and "safe," precautionary measures were necessary.

“The pros and cons of having public access to the track were carefully considered," she said. “It is important for us to be proactive rather than be placed in the position of being reactive."