Reed Montgomery, the former schools superintendent who was fired this month, has initiated legal proceedings against the Laguna Beach Unified School District. In a claim received Monday by

district officials, Montgomery alleges the board broke its contract with him by denying him sick leave during December, by preventing him from returning to work in January and by firing him

without cause on Feb. 3. He also alleges that school board members publicly made “false, defamatory, disparaging and misleading statements” about him. He is seeking up to $300,000 for lost

salary and benefits, as well as unspecified damages for emotional distress and other allegations. School trustees declined to comment on the charges. The district has 45 days to consider the