The last word

Two-four-six-eight, who do we appreciate?

Newport Harbor High officials! Newport Harbor High officials! Yea,

Newport Harbor!

OK, maybe we’re having a little too much fun, but we are glad that --

seemingly -- the Harbor High cheerleader controversy is over now that the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District has cleared Sailor officials of any

wrongdoing.

For the one or two who missed this story, anger was kicked up last

fall on the heels of allegations of inconsistent judging during

cheerleading tryouts. The “crisis” twirled, tumbled and twisted for

several months.

But it may not have been without an upside. In the report, district

officials stress the need for clearer lines of communication between

school administrators and parents.

That’s something we all can cheer about.