ON THE AGENDA Here are some of...

ON THE AGENDA

Here are some of the items the school board will be discussing

tonight.

BORROWING OF FUNDS

The Newport-Mesa Unified school board will propose a resolution to

allow them to borrow cash to carry them from July through early

December, which is normally a “tax dry” period. The amount borrowed

in 2002-03 was $11.03 million.

The borrowing of those funds would be done through the district’s

participation, along with 14 other school districts, in the South

Coast Local Education Agencies Pooled Tax and Revenue Anticipation

Note Program, which the district participated in 2002-03. The program

is sponsored by the Orange County Department of Education.

Through preliminary 2003-04 cash flow forecasts based on 2002-03

and following Internal Revenue Regulations and directions from

financial advisors and bond counsel, the district has determined its

borrowing needs will not exceed $20 million.

Staff is recommending the board approve the resolution.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The board will hear a presentation and discussion on the proposed

resolution and is expected to approve the proposal.

READ 180 PROGRAM

After reviewing reading scores of middle and high school students,

based on testing results last spring, the district established a

Reading Initiative Task Force to help struggling readers. Selected

school and district officials found that the most effective program

was the Scholastic Company’s READ 180 program.

The proposal recommends that the program be implemented on a pilot

basis at two middle schools and two high schools. The pilot program

will cost the middle schools $28,350 per 60 licenses and the high

schools $29,500 per 60 licenses.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The board is expected to approve the implementation of the program

on a pilot basis for the 2003-04 school year.

-- Compiled by Christine Carrillo