NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

School board members Dana Black, David Brooks and Martha Fluor were

sworn into office Tuesday night for another four years. Presiding over

the ceremony was State Board of Education member Marian Bergeson, who is

also a former state senator, assemblywoman, secretary of the governor’s

office of child development and education, county supervisor and

Newport-Mesa Unified School District board member.

WHAT IT MEANS:

For the next two years, the school board will continue to serve with

the same seven members as it has for the past four.

Vote: no vote

WHAT HAPPENED:

Six new intermediate and high school courses were approved by the

school board.

WHAT IT MEANS:

At Ensign Intermediate, a course titled Skills for Adolescence for

seventh- and eighth-grade students will be added. At Costa Mesa High

School, an elective course titled Academic Competitions will be added.

Two new culinary arts classes and a ceramics class will be included in

the curriculum at Newport Harbor High School. At Corona del Mar High

School, a new Advanced Placement history class will be offered. Detailed

course descriptions are available through the district.

Vote: 7 in favor / 0 against

WHAT HAPPENED:

The school board appointed six new members -- Ralph Wallace, Robert

Hawkins, Bill Pemberton, Jim Scott Jr., Jack Price, Mark Larson -- to the

budget advisory committee for two-year terms. Also, the terms of existing

committee members were extended by a year.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The budget advisory committee is comprised of 14 community members who

provide public input into the school district’s budget process.

Vote: 7 in favor / 0 against

NEXT MEETING

7 p.m. Jan. 9, District Education Center, 2985-A Bear Street, Costa

Mesa.