Bonita Canyon Annexation Plan Gets Trustees’ OK

Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustees voted Tuesday to annex a small part of the Irvine Unified School District known as Bonita Canyon.

The two districts proposed the change because it would be easier for Newport-Mesa to serve students in the area, just south and west of the San Joaquin Transportation Corridor.

Homes are being built in the area, but Irvine Unified does not have a school there.

Supt. Mac Bernd said there is room for more students in the district’s Corona del Mar zone.

Corona del Mar High School, for example, is below its enrollment capacity. And there is room at some of the elementary schools nearby.

There is also a closed school that could be reopened for elementary students.

In addition, the annexation means more money for Newport-Mesa, because state education funds are allocated on the basis of enrollment, Bernd said.

The annexation has been approved by the Irvine City Council but must still be approved by the Newport Beach City Council, the county Board of Education and Irvine Unified.

If the annexation goes through, Newport-Mesa trustees said, they expect to see new students from Bonita Canyon by the spring of 1998.