School Board Approves $100 Million Sale of Bonds

The Newport-Mesa Unified board during its meeting Wednesday night voted to authorize the sale of up to $100 million in bonds.

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.

“Given the challenges that school districts are facing, we’re glad that we have the good credit to do this for our students,” acting Superintendent Paul Reed said.

In 2005, voters approved a $282 million school bond called Measure F, which allows the school district to sell bonds as long as projected annual tax rates do not exceed those being paid at the time the bond measure was passed.

In 2007, the district sold more than $70 million in Measure F bonds.

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Board members commended Bradley Beaudette, CIF wrestling champion from Newport Harbor High.  Beaudette, a senior, lettered in both wrestling and football, and coach Dominic Bulone said he believes Beaudette has a future in either sport.

The board also praised Corona del Mar High for its new ranking as Orange County's No. 1 school in sports by OCVarsity.com. Athletic director Don Grable said he was “inspired by the work of the players and the coaches.”

“I have a feeling you’ll be back with more accolades,” board member Karen Yelsey said.

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The board heard a presentation about Ensign Intermediate’s vertical master schedule.  Principal Steve McLaughlin, whose motto is “not more with less, but better with different,” explained how the school has “collectively maximized our time,” decreased the number of students with F's and increased the number of students with 3.0 or better GPAs. 

“It’s a matter of looking at the time and staffing assignments differently to provide more targeted instruction,” he said.

Instead of giving teachers five teaching periods and one preparation period per day with a 30:1 ratio, the vertical model entails sharing the students in a 120:4 ratio.  Teachers “own” all 120 students each period, make formative assessments, do intervention and enrichment and expose learners to more instructional strategies.

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The board adopted a three-year agreement between Newport-Mesa Unified and the state Department of Rehabilitation for vocational services to transition-age youths and adults with disabilities.  The amount awarded to the district under the agreement was $929,880, and 165 students will get services, according to Ann Huntington, executive director of special education for the district.

Also, the board approved a plan for the 2011 secondary summer school program, in which the district would collaborate with the county Education Department for a collaborative summer session at the BESST Center in Costa Mesa, Pacific Coast High School in Tustin or online.  Materials would be covered by the county through state-funded enrollment while the district provides a facility for the program, which will run from July 1 to Aug. 27.  Last year more than 600 students earned 1,300 academic credits through the program.

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