NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING PREVIEW

Here are some items the board will consider tonight:

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

Last year, three Newport-Mesa schools — Pomona Elementary School, Wilson Elementary School and TeWinkle Middle School — landed on year three of the federal Program Improvement list after their test scores failed again to meet federal standards. The schools must take corrective action this year or face federal sanctions, and a seven-member hearing panel recently assembled a report outlining changes to make.

Tonight, the board will vote on an implementation plan based on the panel’s findings. Among the proposals are implementing new English-learner programs at the elementary schools, eliminating Early Out Fridays at TeWinkle and extending the school year or day at all three schools.

WHAT TO EXPECT

There may be contention on specific parts of the plan, but it appears likely that the board will vote to accept it — especially since the plan, first introduced in draft form in December, has been honed through a number of revisions and public hearings.

CITIZENS OVERSIGHT

As part of the Measure F school bond, which voters approved in 2005, Newport-Mesa must create a citizens’ oversight committee to oversee the $282 million worth of construction projects. The committee must contain a maximum of 32 community members, with representatives from the teachers union, chambers of commerce, board of realtors and other groups.

At tonight’s meeting, the board plans to select at least one representative from a senior citizens organization for the committee. The board may appoint other members as well, with the requirements that they live in the Newport-Mesa boundaries, are not district employees and are not current or former board members.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The board will, at least, appoint the senior citizen representative.

— Michael Miller