SCHOOL BOARD WRAP-UP

Here are some of the actions taken at Tuesday’s Newport-Mesa Unified

School District Board of Education meeting.

PROPOSED PARKING STRUCTURE

WHAT HAPPENED:

The school board voted unanimously to delay discussions on a joint-use

parking garage that would be shared with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

until the church completes its expansion plans.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The issue will come back to the board in a few months. In the

meantime, the district wants to work with the city to alleviate traffic

problems in the area, Supt. Robert Barbot said.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I don’t want this to go to bed for 10 years because 10 years ago we

were addressing the same issues and it is scary there,” trustee Dana

Black said. “We need to keep this on the front burner.”

Vote: 7-0

FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT

WHAT HAPPENED:

The board unanimously approved including $6 million for voluntary

seismic retrofits.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The funds have been taken from lower priority areas, Assistant Supt.

Mike Fine said.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“It’s a reasonable recommendation,” trustee Jim Ferryman said. “It

makes a lot of sense to me.”

Vote: 7-0

JOINT-USE AGREEMENT

WHAT HAPPENED:

The board unanimously approved renewing the district’s joint-use

agreement with the city of Costa Mesa.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The main change is that the city is now in charge of scheduling and

will schedule all its events in district facilities after 4 p.m. The

district also agreed to give the city a 15-day notice if a certain

facility will not be available and to help any affected group find an

alternate location. The only exception is CIF practice and postseason

play.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“The joint-use agreement has been in place for many years and we

consider it a model,” Fine said.

Vote: 7-0

NEXT MEETING

WHEN: 7 p.m. May 14

WHERE: District headquarters, 2985-A Bear St., Costa Mesa

INFORMATION: (714) 424-5000si --Compiled by Deirdre Newman