Report Card

Mike Sciacca

The Huntington Beach City School District is now actively seeking

applicants to serve on the Citizens’ Oversight Committee for the General

Election Bond.

The purpose of the committee is to inform the public of how the bond

money will be used to repair and upgrade aging schools within the

district. It will actively review and report on the spending of

taxpayers’ money for school construction and will advise the public as to

whether the district is in compliance with the requirements of the

California Constitution.

The committee will consist of at least seven members, who will serve a

term of two years without compensation and for no more than two

consecutive terms.

The board of trustees, at its March 19 meeting, approved a timeline

and application form for the committee. The timeline includes the board

certifying election results, approving bylaws and procedures for the

oversight committee and the acceptance of committee applications at its

April 16 meeting. The board is required to appoint members to an

independent citizens’ oversight committee within 60 days of recognizing

the bonds passage on April 16.

Applications for the oversight committee are due back to the district

by April 26. The board will select committee members on May 7.

Applications are available now through April 16 at the district

office. Those interested in serving on the committee should contact

Assistant Supt. Jerry Buchanan at 714-964-8888, Ext. 540. or e-mail him

at jerry.buchanan@hbcsd.k12.ca.us.

Smooth jazz provides a cool $20,000

The Pyramid School of Autism in Huntington Beach has reaped the

rewards from the sold out jazz concert held at the Huntington Beach

Library and Cultural Center.

A check in the amount of $20,000 was presented to the school by

Huntington Beach residents Corky and Betty Bennish, who run the company,

BB Jazz. The company stages the Huntington Beach Smooth Jazz Series.

Proceeds from Sunday’s sold-out concert, featuring trumpeter Chris Botti,

and a Feb. 9 performance by saxophonist Michael Lington, benefited the

school.

“People in our community really showed that they cared,” Corky Bennish

said. “They cared enough about this cause by supporting autism, community

and music through a great evening of jazz. We will help out with whatever

needs or goals the Pyramid School of Autism may have. We have two more

concerts coming up in June whose proceeds also will benefit the school.”

Bennish said that the two upcoming concerts on the grounds of the

Huntington Beach Library and Cultural Center will feature saxophonist

Everett Harp on June 1 and world-renowned pianist Keiko Matsui, a

part-time Huntington Beach resident, will perform on June 8.

Student essay wins at two levels and counting

Casey Harelson was one of three Marina High School juniors to win

honors last week in the recently completed Americanism Essay Contest,

“What Memorial Day Means to Me,” sponsored by the Orange County Branch

175 Fleet Reserve Assn.

Harelson claimed first place and also was selected as the overall

winner at the Orange County branch level, for which he received an

additional $50 savings bond from the Eileen Miller Memorial Essay Award.

His essay then went on to win first place a the Southwest Regional level

and he received another savings bond in the amount of $100.

His essay has been sent to the Fleet Reserve Assn.’s national

headquarters for competition at the national level.

Results from that competition will be revealed in May.

In addition to Harelson, Marina students Stuart Strother won second

place and Martha Gardikas received third place.