Monahan supports larger special-needs school

Elise Gee

COSTA MESA -- More students should be allowed to enroll at a proposed

school for children with learning disabilities and behavioral problems,

said Mayor Gary Monahan, who has appealed the Planning Commission

decision on the application.

Richard Sewell has proposed opening the South Coast Priority School for

50 students at 740 Joann and 740 Wilson streets. The Planning Commission

approved his application 5-0 last month with the condition that the

school accommodate only 25 students.

“I feel there is a huge need for this school,” Monahan said. “They will

be educating Newport-Mesa students that are currently not being handled

by the district.”

Many students in the area with learning disabilities and special needs

for behavioral and emotional problems must now attend schools outside of

the district.

Planning Commissioner Katrina Foley raised concerns that the children

would cause disruptions to a neighborhood that is already dealing with

multiple events at Harbor Christian Fellowship church, also on the

property.

Commissioners also said that homes were too close to the school and there

wasn’t an adequate buffer between the two uses, according to staff

reports.

Monahan argues that the school could handle more students because it will

operate between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. -- a time of the day when there isn’t

much other activity going on. Also the school has a ratio of 4 students

per adult, Monahan said. Moreover, there was no public opposition to the

project and favorable letters of support were received for the school,

including one from Bonnie Swan, head of special education for

Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Monahan added.

“Basically, these are kids that have no place else to go,” Monahan said.

“I feel we’ve found a very good place for them.”

In other matters, the council will discuss in closed session possible

litigation against the Orange County Fair over its operation of the

Pacific Amphitheatre.

The council meets at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 77

Fair Drive.