EDITORIAL

Laguna Beach Unified Supt. Theresa Daem proved again this month why

her four-year tenure has been such a success.

Daem, who joined a school district that was flush with financial and

personnel problems, has managed to roll out an elementary school boundary

change that is earning wide parental support -- no easy task given that

such a change will result in students experiencing one of childhood’s

greatest terrors: going to a new school.

The secret seems to have been involving parents in the decision-making

about how to balance enrollment between overcrowded Top of the World

Elementary and the newly remodeled El Morro Elementary. The change had to

be done, but rather than unleash a quick, closed-door plan, Daem and her

fellow administrators went about the process the right and smart way,

spending hundreds of hours figuring out the tough decisions.

The widespread enthusiasm for the plan, which the school board

approved Tuesday night, was summed up by Top of the World parent Michelle

Falkowski, who described Daem’s efforts as “beyond the normal realm.”

Also crucial to making this change work are the programs and

activities that district officials are planning to help welcome the

transferring students -- from Club Laguna, The Terraces and California

Cove -- to their new school.

Easing that bit of discomfort will not be easy, but recognizing that

it must be done is added proof that school leaders are looking out for

the children.

Daem has earned much credit these past four years. With this plan,

she’s done it again.