Briefly In Education

School district refinances bond debt

The Laguna Beach School District is looking to refinance the bond debt of the Community Facilities District, which will save homeowners in the district 9.3%.

Dean West, director of fiscal services, said the school district saw that interest rates went down and found it in its best interest to refinance.

There are 567 homes in the Community Facilities District, which works much like a developer fee but rather than paid up front, homeowners pay it month to month, similar to mello roos type of tax, West said. The Community Facilities District covers facilities and renovations of school structures. The homes all surround El Morro Elementary School.

The homes are in the area of the school district, but not necessarily all within the city limits, West said, since some of the area is unincorporated.

The refinancing will save homeowners in the area about $100 a year, depending on the property.

— Joanna Clay

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Finance director retiring after 33 years

The finance director of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach is retiring after spending 33 years with the club, according to a press release.

The public is invited to meet with outgoing Finance Director Bali Thorn at a barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach at the Main Branch.

Thorn began her work at the club as a secretary June 8, 1979, the release said. She has watched the club grow from 250 annual members to 1,500.

She has been a Lagunan since 1972 and once ran the Laguna Beach Deli Co.

"Bali has been an incredible partner in strengthening our club," said Executive Director Pam Estes in a statement. "Her profound contributions have and will make a meaningful difference in so many lives. Bali is very special and it has been an honor to work alongside of her."

To RSVP for the barbecue, call Michelle Ray at (949) 494-2535 ext. 103.

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LCAD names communications manager

Laguna College of Art & Design announced Mike Stice as the college's communications manager, according to a news release. Stice was a part-time Liberal Arts faculty member and director of the writing lab at the college for more than 12 years.

He has also worked for more than 20 years in several different capacities at Laguna Art Museum, and was an art assistant at Surfing magazine in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the release said.