LAGUNA MUSEUM DIRECTOR TO STAY

William Otton, director of the Laguna Beach Museum of Art for the last 4 1/2 years, has confirmed that he is staying in the Laguna Beach post after considering several possible administrative jobs outside of Southern California.

In a phone interview, Otton said he has “just signed” a three-year pact with the Laguna Beach museum. Although he will be earning the same salary, $40,000 a year, he will be receiving additional fringe benefits and be hired on a contract basis for the first time, he said.

Earlier this year, Otton said he had accepted--but later turned down--a job as director of the Rockford Art Museum in Illinois.

Otton said Monday that he has been “well aware” of community-wide speculation that he might leave the Laguna Beach museum at a time when it was embarking on a large-scale expansion.

“This kind of job search was part of my field; you keep all your (job) options open,” said Otton, “but I’ve decided to stay here (Laguna Beach). There’s so much happening here and the board has been quite supportive. I want to stay to see the expansion here fully completed.”

Construction began last week on the Laguna Beach museum’s main site.