Laguna Beach School Board Wrap-Up: Request for filming at high school denied

The Laguna Beach School Board denied on Tuesday a request by Laguna High graduate Craig Hammill to use the high school as a location for a feature-length film during winter break.

Similar requests had been denied in the past, but board member and Board Clerk Betsy Jenkins had asked the position to be reconsidered. Jenkins recused herself from the vote, as she is a personal friend of Hammill’s.

The production called for as many as 400 actors to be on the campus during the winter break period, with trailers, generators, lighting and other equipment to be set up and used for up to 16-hour days.

Norma Shelton, assistant superintendent for business services, noted that the school would be lucky to break even with such an enterprise, and Facilities Director Eric Jetta said that such a large production wouldn’t be adequately counted for in the fee structure; he said that the school would need to charge for paper products, water, electricity and other commodities.

Board member William Landsiedel inquired about the reputation Laguna Beach would receive from the film, but was assured that the film, a teen comedy, would take place in a fictitious location.

Board member El Hathaway said that he believed all four sites needed to remain purely as educational facilities and saw no benefit in allowing the production.

Board member Jan Vickers said that the impact on the surrounding community would be dramatic, and that the permission would set a precedent for future requests.

Several board members mentioned MTV’s “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County,” a reality show now in its third season based on Laguna Beach High School students, before the motion was denied.

MTV had originally been granted permission to film the show on campus, but the permission was rescinded after concerns were raised by the community.

DISTRICT GOALS SET

In other business, the board discussed and approved the wording of the annual Board of Education and District Goals after some minor syntax changes were made.

Jenkins said that the goals were more challenging than in years past.

Jenkins also asked whether the board had sufficiently explored its goal of full implementation of the International Baccalaureate program.

High School Principal Don Austin said he intends to apply for the program, which features a two-year curriculum for upperclassmen that resembles the last year of European secondary school.

Austin noted that the school is still two years away from the first level of juniors who would enroll in the program.

THURSTON BLOGGING

Thurston Middle School Principal Joanne Culverhouse said some teachers at the school are now using campus blogs, and she herself would be conducting a weekly podcast.

An older computer lab was closed when 35 new computers were bought with funds from SchoolPower; the room is now used by special education students. SchoolPower funds were also used to create a new surround sound system in the gym, Culverhouse said.

The board will meet Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in the district headquarters, 550 Blumont St. For information, call (949) 497-7700 or visit www.lagunabeachschools.org.