Newport Mesa unified school preview

Here are some items the board will consider tonight:

JOINT-USE AGREEMENT

In January, the Costa Mesa City Council approved a revision of the joint-use agreement, governing fields and athletic facilities at Newport-Mesa schools, that the district and city signed in 2002. The original agreement gave the schools top priority for field use during the school day and other pre-arranged times, while the city had authority over the fields on weekends and during non-school hours.

Under the new agreement, the city would pay the district up to $170,000 annually for use of the fields, with the district assuming full responsibility for field maintenance. The district would also handle permits for athletic facilities other than fields, such as pools, gyms and classrooms.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Both school board vice president Linda Sneen and clerk Judy Franco said they expected the agreement to pass easily, since it would provide the district more freedom and flexibility in staging events. The $170,000 would likely have little fiscal impact on Newport-Mesa, since the costs of field maintenance and custodial service would offset it.

SUMMER SCHOOL

The district is proposing to shorten the summer school week from five days to four, with more instructional hours in each day to make up the time. The high school summer session starts June 28, with middle school following 12 days later. Both sessions are held at Costa Mesa High School; Newport-Mesa does not offer summer school at the elementary level.

WHAT TO EXPECT

A pass. As Franco put it: “It enables students to have three-day weekends to be able to enjoy a portion of their summer that, in their past, they haven’t been able to. It’s one way of solving losing some of these kids on Fridays.”

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Newport-Mesa Unified School District board meeting

* WHEN: Study session tonight at 5:30 p.m., regular meeting at 7 p.m.

* WHERE: District Education Center, 2985-A Bear St., Costa Mesa

* FYI: Call (714) 424-5000 or visit www.nmusd.us