Laguna School Board Member's Lawsuit Alleging Retaliation Tossed

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A U.S. District Court judge threw out a lawsuit filed by Laguna Beach Unified School District Board Member Dee Perry against fellow board members alleging they retaliated against her for questioning board decisions and transparency.

The ruling on Thursday, was the third time the complaint against her fellow board members and Superintendent Jason Viloria has been tossed, according to the Laguna Beach Unified School District. The previous two times she was allowed to amend her complaint, but this time, the court indicated that she could not amend her complaint again.

“The Court has affirmed our position for the third time that the Board operates as an entity, and no board member has individual authority,” said Board President Peggy Wolff. “It is unfortunate that Ms. Perry chose to perpetuate her unnecessary complaint for over a year, needlessly diverting resources from the District’s students, while she publicly complains about the District’s increased legal fees.”

Perry alleged her fellow board members failed to notify her of events and board business, and formed a subcommittee where she was the only board member excluded. Before her suit was dismissed, her attorney said the trial would show that she was being harassed for disagreeing with other board members and pushing for more transparency with the community.

“She will ... provide instances of harassment by the supervisor and board members in retaliation for her using her First Amendment right to demand board transparency and to question board irregularities,” Attorney Maria Severson told the Daily Pilot in March.