NEWPORT-MESA SCHOOL BOARD WRAP-UP

-- Danette Goulet

ISSUE: Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee

ACTION: none taken

SUMMARY: The committee gave its final report to the board and asked that

the group’s purpose be redefined. The committee was organized to advise

the board on matters related to the district’s budget and the allocation

of those funds. They are charged with becoming knowledgeable concerning

the state budget and its impact on the district. Committee chair Mark

Schultheis told the board that the group feels it is better-suited to

work on specific projects, such as finding funding sources for teacher

salary increases or aiding committees, such as the facilities committee.

The board agreed to look at making changes to the board’s duties.

ISSUE: Adopting new textbooks

ACTION: Approved 6-0, to adopt all but one textbook, which school board

members will review

SUMMARY: School Board member Wendy Leece asked that board members read

the book “Oleanna” by David Mamet before approving it for use in the

classroom. The book was requested for use in the 10th-grade Magellan

sophomore honors English course at Newport Harbor High School. Leece said

the book contained material that the board should read before approving

it for students.

ISSUE: Adding money to the adult education fund

ACTION: Approved 6-0

SUMMARY: Mike Murphy, director of alternative adult programs and student

services, requested an additional $50,000 from the unappropriated reserve

in the adult education fund. The money will be used to purchase new

computer equipment and related software for a new staff technology

training program.