Speak Up Newport to be educated on Measure A

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT BEACH -- Seeking support for the $110-million school bond that

will be put before voters next month, Measure A proponents will appeal to

community members Wednesday at Speak Up Newport’s monthly meeting.

During a public forum hosted by the community group, several key members

of Citizens to Rebuild Our Schools will offer information about Measure A

and answer questions.

“We’re just going to be covering the basics, nothing terribly elaborate

or ornate,” said bond proponent Rush Hill.

The school bond, if approved by voters in a June 6 special election,

would fund repairs for all 29 aging schools in the Newport-Mesa Unified

School District.

If passed, property owners would pay an additional $22.35 per $100,000 of

assessed value at tax time.

Hill, along with Mark Schultheis -- one of the front-runners in the bond

campaign, will discuss the process that led up to the bond measure.

“We’ll go through the background on the citizens’ efforts, then the work

of the citizens advisory committee, and then we’ll talk about the points

of the campaign,” Schultheis said.

The campaign committee has been working to garner community support since

the school board announced its decision to move forward with a school

bond.

Speak Up Newport is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that was developed 20

years ago to provide a forum for issues facing Newport Beach.

“We specifically do not take stands. We’re not an advocacy group,” said

George Schroeder, the organization’s vice president.

Wednesday’s meeting is open to all residents and will be held at the

Riverboat Restaurant from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

FYI

* Who: Speak Up Newport

* What: A presentation by representatives of Citizens to Rebuild Our

Schools

* When: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday

* Where: The Riverboat Restaurant, 151 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach