School board authorizes study for fields, tracks

Newport-Mesa school board members on Tuesday approved a study to assess the need and costs of replacing all of the district’s high school football fields and tracks.

Deputy Supt. Paul Reed was authorized to hire LPA Architects for no more than $10,000. The district cannot afford to replace any fields or tracks and don’t have any plans to, Reed said. The study is just meant to prepare the district in case it has to replace them.

The board also accepted a grant increase from the Children and Families Commission of Orange County, which will provide half the funding for more nurses, office assistants and community relations workers. The 10% increase from $175,000 to $192,500 is directed to the district’s Health, Opportunities, Preparation and Education Healthy Start Program. The program provides health and education services for children from 2 weeks to 18 years old.

— Joseph Serna