Inside education

WHAT HAPPENED

Educators from Costa Mesa’s sister city of Wyndham, Australia, who are

visiting the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, were introduced to the

school board at last week’s meeting.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Aussie educators are visiting as part of an exchange program that

began four years ago. In July, delegates from the Newport-Mesa district

visited Wyndham for two weeks during their summer vacation. Now, while

the Australian schools are out for their summer vacation, representatives

from Wyndham are visiting Newport-Mesa.

WHAT WAS SAID

“Everyone is fascinated by our plastic money and our colored money,”

Elissa Reynolds, a kindergarten teacher in Wyndham, told the school

board. “Children also asked, ‘Do you ride a kangaroo to work?’ and my

favorite, ‘What language do you speak in Australia?’ ”

VOTE: No vote

WHAT HAPPENED

The school board presented Col. William Barber, a veteran of the

Korean War and World War II, with a resolution in commemoration of the

50th anniversary of the Korean War.

WHAT IT MEANS

Surrounded by other veterans, Barber accepted a copy of the resolution

on behalf of local veterans of the Korean War. Barber received the

highest award for military service, the Congregational Medal of Honor,

for his service in the Korean War.

VOTE: No vote

WHAT HAPPENED

The school board voted unanimously to reinstate $100 petty cash funds

at Paularino and Sonora elementary schools.

WHAT IT MEANS

The schools, which chose not to have the funds in the past, decided

they now want the cash available. Because petty cash funds were

established for each school many years ago, the board honored the request

immediately.

VOTE: Approved, 7-0

WHAT HAPPENED

The board received an update from Mike Fine, assistant superintendent

for business services, on the status of construction of Newport Coast

Elementary School, which he called “good.” After a few delays,

Newport-Mesa’s newest school is now scheduled to open Feb. 26, he said.

WHAT IT MEANS

All the window parts that have caused the major delays are now in,

Fine said, even if they are not all installed.

WHAT WAS SAID

“The school is 2 1/2 weeks away from substantial completion -- with

rain, three weeks,” Fine said.

VOTE: No vote

FYI

o7 NEXT MEETINGf7

7 p.m. Jan. 23 at the District Education Center, 2985-A Bear St.,

Costa Mesa.