NEWPORT BEACH : School Candidates Focus on Spending

The five candidates vying for three spots on the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board of Trustees have been meeting community members this week at forums during which the district’s current budget woes have been a main topic.

Meeting with the Women’s Civic League on Tuesday, candidates Terry Simon and Edward Decker, who are both running for the seat in District 1, addressed the budget situation. The district now has a $4.5-million shortfall in its $80-million budget.

“I think we need to look at why we spend the money we spend and how we spend it and make sure that money is making it to the kids in the classroom,” said Simon, a parent who has been active in district and school groups for nearly the past decade.

Decker, a longtime educator, agreed, adding, “We have a tremendous challenge before us.”

The two candidates are running for the seat held by Kenneth L. Wayman, who is not running for reelection this year.

Jim de Boom, the incumbent from District 6, is running unopposed.

At the meeting Tuesday, challenger Martha Fluor and incumbent Tom Williams, who are vying for the District 3 seat, also discussed the budget.

Fluor expressed concern about a district plan that may lay off 50 non-teaching employees to save about $700,000 to help balance the budget.

“Financing has become probably one of the biggest problems facing school boards today, if not the biggest problem,” said Williams, an eight-year board member.

The Newport Federation of Teachers also hosted a candidates forum on Wednesday. However, the union decided not to endorse any of the candidates. The election is Nov. 5.