ON THE AGENDA Here are some of...

ON THE AGENDA

Here are some of the items the Newport-Mesa Unified School

District board of trustees will be discussing tonight.

GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET

The board will hear a summary of the major highlights of Gov.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget as it affects education.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Because the budget plan is in its early stages, the district will

not do any concrete planning relating to it. However, based on the

proposal, the budget is not expected to hurt general education in the

district. Changes and cuts would most likely come in so-called

“categorical programs” such as special and gifted education.

REVISION TO STUDENT CONDUCT POLICY

The board will consider changes to Policy 4210, which relates to

general student conduct.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This policy relates to suspension, expulsion and involuntary

transfer to continuation school, and exclusion from school

activities. In a series of study sessions, the board has been

reviewing the policy, which defines causes for student discipline.

The revision includes language that gives the consequences for

seniors who have violated the policy in their last semester in

school. Those students would not be able to participate in any school

activities, including graduation.

ADDITIONS TO HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY

Two new courses -- college shop and life skills -- could be added

to the high school course of study.

WHAT TO EXPECT

College shop is designed to prepare students for higher education.

It will teach note taking, study skills, test taking, SAT

preparation, effective textbook reading, library research skills and

speaking skills.

Life skills is a home economics core class for freshmen. It will

cover nutrition and health, child development, food preparation and

clothing construction.

The board is expected to approve addition of the two courses.

QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT

As required by law, the district’s assistant superintendent of

business services will present a report detailing the district’s

investments.

WHAT TO EXPECT

In the Orange County educational investment pool, bank deposits

and fiscal agents, the district has $149,904,346.69, according to the

report. It will have enough liquidity to meet budgeted expenditures

for the next six months. The board will hear and receive the full

report.

-- Compiled by Marisa O’Neil