Schools
Newport-Mesa Board OKs Online Registration Program
Also, acting Superintendent Paul Reed discusses "ugly, debilitating choices" that may have to be made because of budget cuts.
Some parents of Newport-Mesa Unified students will soon get to avoid waiting in long lines to register their kids for school and instead take care of the process online.
The Newport-Mesa school board on Tuesday gave unanimous approval to a pilot program that would let parents of students at Corona del Mar and Costa Mea high schools and some middle schools in the district register their kids for school electronically.
“We decided there had to be a better way than stuffing packets, mailing them at a cost of $2.50 each and then making parents and students stand in line to register,” said Assistant Superintendent of Education Chuck Hinman, describing the current registration procedure as something that is "dreaded."
Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Online registration forms can be completed at home or at school computer labs. The program would have a feature that would ensure that parents have read and completed all forms.
“Data will be confidential, and school officials will be in the loop to assure that security,” district IT director Alan Engard said.
Find out what's happening in Newport Beach-Corona Del Marwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Budget Impact May Be Delayed, Bonds Go on Sale
Acting Superintendent Paul Reed said that, because of good planning, state budget cuts likely will not affect the district in the coming year. However, he said, the district may have to make some tough choices for the 2012-13 school year. Among them:
- Reducing the number of school days.
- Eliminating some programs.
- Reducing administrative, teaching and sports staff.
- Increasing class size.
- Scaling back sports programs.
“These are all ugly, debilitating choices that we hope to avoid,” he said. “We’re going to start selling bonds tomorrow, and we have high hopes.”
In April, the school board authorized the sale of up to $100 million in bonds—part of the $282-million Measure F passed by voters in 2005.
Money raised will go to building theaters and enclaves at Corona del Mar High and Costa Mesa High and to renovate Davidson Field at Newport Harbor High, according to a district report. Bonds will be sold this spring.
New Classes
The school board voted to add several new classes to the curriculum of various schools. Included in the new offerings are French, environmental studies, dance, guitar and studio art.
“Kudos to the teachers who have created these programs, allowing students to be creative and make choices," board member Judith Franco said.
