At Laguna Beach High School, the grass is greener — and safer — thanks to a million-dollar upgrade replacing the campus’ decade-old turf track and field with environmentally-friendly options that feel like natural grass while reducing upkeep and the risk of athletic injuries.
The $1.165 million project features a new track surface overlay and Shaw Sports Turf with Geofill, a natural infill made of 80 percent coconut husks and 20 percent sand. Free of petroleum and other harmful chemicals, the new field offers cooler surface temperatures in hot weather and better traction in all conditions, translating into more opportunities for practices and games.
Laguna Beach Unified School District officials noted that the project was completed in just four weeks due to a manufacturing process that wove field lines and graphics directly into the turf before delivery. The work was carefully scheduled to avoid disruptions to its year-round community sports and athletics activities.
“As one of the few shared-use playing fields in the city, this stadium is an important resource for school and community athletics,” said Ryan Zajda, facilities and sustainability director at Laguna Beach Unified.
The new field will hold its first game on Aug. 29, when the Laguna Beach Breakers host Santa Monica High School in their season home opener. Before kickoff at 7 p.m., district leaders will celebrate the debut of the upgraded facility in a brief 50-yard-line ceremony.
“This project is a thoughtful investment that will keep our kids active, our community connected and enhance the health and wellness of our students and neighbors,” said Laguna Beach Board President Dee Perry.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- In order to prepare the future workforce for the evolving job market, tech companies like Google and Adobe plan to offer free artificial intelligence training to students across California’s community colleges and universities.
- In his latest column, Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean reflected on how the experience of meeting a potential mentor inspired him to expand his vision of what he could achieve — and how he hopes to do the same for each student in the county through the goals outlined in OCDE’s 5-3-1 Strategic Plan.
- Los Alamitos Unified School District students can now easily connect with their peers of all abilities during playground time with the installation of colorful communication boards on each elementary campus.
- Anaheim Union High School District Assistant Superintendent Jaron Fried has been unanimously selected to succeed long-time leader Michael Matsuda as superintendent, with Fried slated to begin after Matsuda’s retirement at the end of the year.
- Valley Vista High School named Billy Wilson as its next principal, with Huntington Beach Union High School District Superintendent Carolee Ogata citing his background in working with students of varying needs.
- From the Saddleback Valley Unified School District to the Tustin Unified School District, campuses are buzzing with first-day activities and meet-and-greets for young learners returning to classrooms this week.
- As Orange County schools welcome students back, some district leaders have prepared for potential attendance drops due to immigration enforcement activity. Many are launching new resources or increasing communication with families.
- Next month, Fullerton Union High School will host its second annual career fair for more than 400 students to hear from parents and community members representing a wide array of industry sectors.
- The new Early Childhood Friendly City initiative, launched by First 5 Orange County, aims to boost kindergarten readiness through community partnerships, integrated planning and accessible early-learning opportunities countywide.
- Cal State Fullerton is set to partner with Orange County Supervisor Chair Doug Chaffee to promote better health outcomes and expand public health education through the launch of the Community Health Ambassador Program.
- A 15-year-old student in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District was fatally stabbed in a gang-related attack Saturday, according to Costa Mesa authorities. The district has made counseling and support services available to the school community.
- The Orange County Register reported an assistant high school basketball coach at Dana Hills High School was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of having a relationship with a student.
- Southern California schools are expected to see reduced numbers of STEM teachers serving low-income and English learner student populations, as federal cuts to the Teacher Quality Partnership grant go into effect.
- With back-to-school season in full swing, the National Retail Federation reported many families have begun buying supplies ahead of schedule and prioritizing essential items amid uncertainty about tariffs.
- Due to the devastation caused by the Palisades Fire in January, students at Palisades Charter High School will resume learning this school year at the old Sears Building in Santa Monica.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.