EDITORIAL

Perhaps it sounded like a good idea, at first. By just agreeing to

allow the use of the Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation name, the foundation

would get a little extra cash from a Newport Beach marketing firm. It

just goes to show that a little more research or investigation often is

needed.

It turns out there were several problems with the foundation’s

agreement with Elite Marketing Group. The foundation ended up getting

just 50 cents for every $20 coupon the group sold, largely in front of

the Costa Mesa Target store. And the cardboard sign and card table were,

in the words of foundation President Forrest Werner, “really not our

style.”

It would have been smart policy to determine up front whether Elite’s

plans were going to fit into the foundation’s style and possibly balk

early at such a low monetary return. Failing to have done so, the

incident raises -- however lightly -- some troubling questions about the

foundation and how well it is run.

A number of members said they had no idea about the deal, and it took

a day for its leaders to determine that, yes indeed, they had made an

agreement with Elite.

Is it really that difficult to keep track of such business? Are there

other deals with companies that may turn out even worse for the

foundation because they failed to adequately check the business out?

The foundation was created for the most noble of causes -- improving

our children’s education. But a noble end does not mean the means will be

equally lofty or even acceptable.

The foundation needs to make sure it does better.