Towering school dedication

A symbol of pride for the Newport Harbor High School community was officially dedicated Thursday before a crowd of those who have spent more than six years rebuilding it.

The school’s iconic bell tower, theater and other historic buildings were recreated to evoke the past while making way for future technologies.

“The new building was to be a Renaissance, a phoenix rising from the ashes,” said Newport-Mesa Unified Assistant Supt. Paul Reed.

The spaces — including Robins Hall, Loats Hall, Heritage Hall, the library, a cafeteria and a dozen science labs — were open for tours Thursday night, where visitors could see how the school’s notable art collection and other points of pride are still prominently featured.

The Robins and Loats families were both present for the dedication in the new buildings’ quad.

Longtime alumni and parents all helped make the building possible, thanks to a long-term, sustained vision — often contributing to something from which their children wouldn’t even directly benefit.

“There is virtue in determining that tomorrow is better than today,” Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard said.

He said the building’s creation was one of the greatest endeavors the district has undertaken since he began his tenure there three years ago — or, perhaps, since the district was founded.

Reed gave a narrative of the building’s long history, from a fateful announcement to bond measures to final construction.

He described a bleak, overcast day about 6 1/2 years ago, when he sat down in a meeting to learn the results of a seismic analysis of the building, which was built in the late 1920s.

When Reed heard that the building would need to be vacated immediately due to earthquake risk (and most likely condemned), his forehead hit the conference table, he said.

In the event of a large earthquake, later additions to the building would likely collapse into the inadequately constructed original walls, he said.

“The building … would literally beat itself to death,” Reed said.

The school board made a prompt, unanimous decision to begin plans for a new building.

“It was an act of faith,” Reed said, as there was no funding in place for the project. But the board and community had a strong desire to replicate the landmark building, creating an improved mirror image of what once was.

It took two bond measures and some additional negotiations with the state (which are now legendary in the district community) to get the funds needed for the design and construction.

Reed referred to this last appeal for funds as an “outrageous effort.”

It took four years, four trips to Sacramento, three separate appeals, two denials, two re-crafted proposals, four tours of the school, more than 200 pounds of documents shipped to Sacramento, two Capitol hearings and “no small amount of expert help” to garner the last necessary funds, he said.

It wasn’t fast or cheap, but “it was the right thing to do,” Reed said.

The project was completed on time and on budget, and has become a mark of pride for the district.

“We’ve done a great thing for our kids, and this structure is going to be here for a long time,” said Mark Schultheis, who was the chairman of the first bond measure put on the ballot.

Following the dedication, Principal Michael Vossen looked skyward at the school’s iconic and perfectly recrafted bell tower.

“Jim, ring those bells,” he said.

The courtyard reverberated with song — and cheers.