Countdown to 2000: 1980s Schools

Andrew Glazer

During the 1980s, Newport-Mesa schools were squeezing into their newly

tightened budgets.

Proposition 13, passed by voters in 1978, capped property taxes, pinching

off the schools’ major revenue source.

In the early 1980s, the Newport-Mesa Unified School District cut music

and art classes from its elementary schools. Middle schools also were

without arts education, aside from band, until the early 1990s.

In 1980, the Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation was launched to pick up some

of the slack. Since that year, the foundation has awarded more than

$424,000 in grants to Newport-Mesa schools.

It was during the 1980s when the district implemented its zero-tolerance

policy for drugs, alcohol and weapons. Under the controversial policy --

which still has strong opponents -- students caught with illegal drugs,

alcohol or weapons at school or school-related events are automatically

transferred. Students face expulsion if they are caught a second time.

The district also developed its sex education curriculum in the 1980s.

While the school board chose to focus on teaching students to abstain

from sex, it also decided to allow teachers to explain how to prevent

unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Enrollment in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District dropped in the

1980s, causing several schools to close.

McNally Continuation High School, which was known for its historic

1930s-style architecture, was the first to go in 1980. Corona del Mar

Elementary School and Rea Middle School closed in 1981. Lindbergh and Woodland elementary schools closed in 1982. Adams and Eastbluff

elementary schools and Lincoln Middle School closed in 1984.

Bear Street Elementary School and Davis Middle School were the last

schools to close in the 1980s because of low enrollment.

By 1989, Newport-Mesa had the lowest enrollment in its history at

16,042.

Sources:

Newport-Mesa Unified School District; “Newport Beach: The First Century

1888-1988,” James P. Felton, 1981; Jim de Boom, former school board

member.