Joan

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Malczewski

LBUSD School Board 2026

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Joan’s Priorities
Are Laguna’s Priorities

  • Building Trust and Collaboration

  • Creating a Community of Readers

  • Using Technology to Strengthen Learning

  • Advancing Excellence for Every Student

Great schools are one of Laguna Beach’s greatest public assets. They strengthen our community today while preparing the next generation for tomorrow.

JOAN’S STORY

Joan is a tenured member of the history department at UC Irvine and brings to LBUSD schools a distinctive blend of academic expertise as a historian of American education, and experience as a teacher-mentor from her previous work at the NYU Steinhardt School of Education.

PROFESSOR

Joan is an active parent volunteer and current LBUSD school board incumbent. As a board member she has served on key district committees focused on education, collaboration, and fiscal planning. Her involvement and collaborative leadership style reflect her strong commitment to supporting students, families, and the Laguna Beach community.

VOLUNTEER

Joan and her husband have raised five children — one currently attending LBUSD schools and four older children who graduated from New York City public schools and are currently pursuing graduate studies. Joan understands firsthand the importance of strong public schools and is committed to ensuring that LBUSD remains exceptional for current and future generations.

PARENT

Joan brings thoughtful, experienced leadership to the LBUSD Board of Education through her work supporting strong academics, responsible financial stewardship, and collaboration with teachers, staff, and families to strengthen outcomes and achieve excellence for all students.

LEADER

For the past nine years, Joan and her husband Richard Arum, professor of sociology at UC Irvine and Dean Emeritus of the UCI School of Education (2016-21) , proudly call Laguna Beach home. Their experience in education and public service reflects their life-long commitment to strengthening and preserving public schooling.

LAGUNA RESIDENT

Known as a thoughtful neighbor, engaged parent, and trusted community member, Joan values collaboration, respect, and bringing people together.

FRIEND

  • Tenured history professor at University of California, Irvine

  • Nationally recognized scholar whose historical research focuses on the relationship between education and democracy, civic engagement, and education policy

  • Three decades of experience in education, leadership, and public service

  • Faculty and administrative roles at UC Irvine, New York University and Columbia University

  • PhD in History from Columbia University; MA in History and Education from Columbia University Teachers College; BA in Economics and Accounting from the University of Michigan

  • Fieldwork supervisor for NYU student teachers serving in NYC public schools.

  • Former CPA with work experience in an international accounting firm and in real estate finance.

  • Parent of five children — one in LBUSD and four who graduated from NYC public schools

  • Daughter of a Michigan State Police officer

  • First-generation college graduate who believes strong public schools create opportunity, promote civic engagement, and deepen community connection

MEET JOANJoan

  • LBUSD School Board member since 2022

  • Member of key district committees, including the Endowment Committee, Joint Fiscal Management, PTA Council, and School Power; supports community youth sports and cultural programs 

  • Believes that good schools are the result of recognizing and supporting the professional expertise of the district's excellent teachers and staff

  • Focuses on strong academics, responsible fiscal stewardship, and student-centered decision-making

  • Advocates for education policy that promotes the skills and knowledge that students need for the 21st century, including stronger literacy programs and a culture of reading, smart instructional technology policies, collaboration with district staff for K-12 curriculum integration and innovation, and special education

  • Dedicated to preserving and strengthening LBUSD’s reputation for educational excellence for all students and families