NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

The school board on Tuesday approved the distinct’s tentative

$144-million budget for the 2001-02 school year. Mike Fine, the

district’s assistant superintendent of business services, presented the

board with the tentative budget and broke out 11 pages’ worth of notable

information.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Although the document will go through a process of in-depth analysis

and be trimmed over the next month, there is no deficit in the tentative

budget. It is balanced with expected revenues totaling $144 million and

expenditures topping out at $142 million, Fine said.

Vote: 5 / 0

IN FAVOR

WHAT HAPPENED:

School board members canceled two summer meetings and added a couple

of study sessions. It is the board’s practice to cancel the two regularly

scheduled meetings in midsummer as they do not have much business. It is

also their practice to hold all day study sessions before approving the

final district budget.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The July 24 and Aug. 14 school board meetings are canceled. From 8

a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 21 and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 22, the board will

hold special study sessions to take an in-depth look at the proposed

final budget. There will also be a special board meeting at 6 p.m. Sept.

4 for the purpose of holding a public hearing and approving the budget.

Vote: 5 / 0

IN FAVOR

WHAT HAPPENED:

Eastbluff Elementary School’s interim principal, Charlene Metoyer, was

officially named to receive the full-time gig.

Metoyer has been with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District for 14

years. She began as a teacher at Paularino Elementary School, where her

children attended school and where she was active in the PTA.

Metoyer has also run the run the district summer science program, the

Beckman Science Camp, and acted as the science and math coordinator for

the district.

WHAT IT MEANS:

After a mass exodus of principals last summer, the district is working

to fill those positions once again with full-time administrators. Metoyer

is the second interim principal to step into a principal position full

time. Mike McGuire, now principal of Ensign Intermediate, also began as

an interim principal.

Vote: No vote

WHAT HAPPENED:

The Harbor Boulevard of Cars presented the school board and Costa Mesa

High School Principal Diana Carey with a huge check -- literally. It was

the group’s second donation of $50,000 to school programs. Of that

$50,000, $25,000 is designated for Newport Harbor High School’s

Advancement Via Individual Determination program, while the other $25,000

will help pay for the an after-school tutoring program for middle school

students at Costa Mesa High.

WHAT IT MEANS:

These funds make programs possible.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“The Harbor Boulevard of Cars have really put their money where their

mouth is,” trustee Jim Ferryman said. “It’s good to see a local

association step up to the plate like this.”

Vote: No vote necessary

NEXT MEETING

WHAT: Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Education meeting

WHEN: 7 p.m. July 10

WHERE: District Education Center, 2985-A Bear St., Costa Mesa.