Board member has plenty to do

You can argue that Linda Sneen got on the Newport-Mesa Unified School

District board of trustees the easy way: In the fall of 2002, she ran

unopposed for her seat -- the only candidate that year to do so.

At that point, Sneen had been involved with the Paularino

Elementary School PTA, work she built on with Davis Elementary and

Costa Mesa High School. She worked on a district-wide committee to

establish an anti-bullying policy and helped Costa Mesa High pick a

new principal.

Now, she’s one of many involved in the Costa Mesa United effort to

build a 50-meter swimming pool at Costa Mesa High and a lighted

athletic stadium at Estancia High School.

Sneen took a break from that work to answer a few questions this

week from Daily Pilot managing editor S.J. Cahn.

As a reminder, tell our readers what Costa Mesa United’s mission

is all about.

To build state-of-the-art sports facilities in Costa Mesa, located

at Estancia and Costa Mesa high schools. We want to have a stadium

and Olympic pool within the next three years. At the same time foster

city, schools and community pride, everybody wins.

Where does the fundraising stand today?

We are close to $4 million. The goal is $9.4 million.

Tell our readers about the latest student fundraising effort and

how they can contribute. What’s been the reaction on the campuses so

far?

The Million Dollar Memorial Day was kicked off on May 16 at both

high schools, and at Davis, Killybrooke, Rea and TeWinkle. The

message they received was: We want everyone to claim ownership of

these new facilities. Simply ask friends, neighbors, family to donate

any amount. It’s tax-deductible.

Students are collecting at various levels. We will reward them

with local restaurant certificates; at higher levels, we will reward

them with iPod Shuffles. The student who collects the most donations

wins $500 in cash and a scholarship. Winners will be announced at the

Fish Fry.

Anyone who wants to donate, visit the website at

https://www.costamesa united.com or call (714) 284-9234.

The reaction so far has been positive. We have already had

students turn in $500. Another reaction that has been heartfelt:

Teachers are donating.

What will the community benefits be of the new stadium and

aquatics facility?

Increased property values for homeowners. Increased swim programs.

Added soccer and utility programs for the entire community.

Who else is involved in the CM United project?

I don’t want to leave anyone out. Jim Scott Sr.; David Brooks;

Gordon Bowley; Rick Kapko; Art Perry; Rich Amaral; Tom Antol; Robert

Barbot; Kirk Bauermister; Peter Buffa; Jim de Boom; Julie Chan; Tom

Egan; Ed Fawcett; Katrina Foley; John Garcia; Kurt Galitski; Bruce

Garlich; Jon Gray; Cathi Hartwell; Jim Huffman; Tom Johnson; Amy

Kuchta; Wing Lam; Amy Lewis; Fred Navarro; Jana Ransom; Paul Reed;

Mike Scheafer; Jim Scott Jr.; Dave Snowden; Gary Spencer; Serene

Stokes; John Ursini; Larry Weichman; Forrest Werner.

What’s next for CM United and its efforts?

Send thank you notes to donors. Refocus effort to attract large

corporate sponsors to finish off the capital campaign.

Finally, how are things going for you on the school board? Are

there other projects you’re working on you’d like to share with

readers?

It’s been close to three years. I’m still meeting new people, and

the atmosphere of the district could be described as my second

family. I’m sitting on several committees, which meet monthly -- CAC

Community Advisory Committee (special ed), CM United, Nutrition

Advisory, High School Redesign Sustainability Committee (youth

achievers-YMCA).

One of my favorite projects is animation classes for the school

day -- currently it’s after school. The Orange County Department of

Education recently celebrated its first-year success. The Orange

County Animation Project partnered with ACME network. Students

receive professional mentoring from animators from major studios,

such as Pixar, Disney and DreamWorks, through videoconferencing.

Students will learn the fundamentals and have a future vocation.