INSIDE THE DISTRICT Here are some decisions...

INSIDE THE DISTRICT

Here are some decisions coming out of Tuesday night’s Newport-Mesa

Unified School District meeting.

E-CAMPUS

Board trustees approved an agreement that will allow students to

take selected classes online starting this summer. American democracy

and economics classes will be offered online this summer and next

year.

WHAT IT MEANS

Starting this summer, students will be able to take two classes

online for school credit. Back Bay and Monte Vista high school

students will also be able to take biology classes online beginning

in the fall.

The pilot program will allow students to take online classes for

credit. The class will meet once a week but students will do most of

their coursework via computer.

Robert Hiles, who teaches American democracy at Corona del Mar

High School, and Kent Williams, who teaches economics at Estancia

High School, will receive training in online instruction from the

Florida Virtual School, which runs the program. District

administrators had an informational meeting for interested students

earlier this month.

This summer, 20 students will take American democracy and another

20 will take economics classes through the program.

MEASURE A

The board received its reports on the progress of Measure A from

the citizens’ oversight committee, project managers and an update

from one school principal. Measure A is the multi-school improvement

plan funded by local and state-issued bonds.

WHAT IT MEANS

The massive Measure A project, now in its second year, is mostly

completed at the first group of schools and is progressing at the

second group.

Back Bay and Monte Vista high schools are finished, said Bonnie

Martin, director for project manager McCarthy Building Companies.

Small detail work still needs to be done at the group one schools.

Restrooms at Kaiser Elementary are anticipated to be finished next

month and a new bus turnout will be built this summer at Harbor View

Elementary. Ensign Intermediate School is scheduled for completion by

mid-September and the state division of architects has approved plans

for Newport Harbor High School.

WHAT WAS SAID

“We still feel everything is going fine,” said Mark Buchanan from

the Measure A Citizens’ Oversight Committee. “Some people are still

frustrated from their experiences early on, but those entering the

process now can see what they have to look forward to.”

NEWPORT COAST ACCESS

The district and city of Newport Beach plan to widen and pave an

additional access road to Newport Coast Elementary School. Trustees

voted to approve an agreement with the city for the work.

WHAT IT MEANS

The district and city formed a Community Facilities District in

1998 to finance improvements in the Newport Coast area. A $45-million

bond is financing the project.

Since the school opened, its only access point on Ridge Park Road

has become more crowded with traffic. A secondary access road loops

behind the school’s athletic field to Newport Coast Drive.

Plans call for widening and paving the road, making it a one-way

street leading into the school.