NEWPORT BEACH : Group Offers Help to School District

Parents concerned about budget problems in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District asked the school board last week if they could form a committee to help trustees address the district’s deficit.

The 12-member group received a lukewarm response from most of the trustees, who said school board meetings were the best forum for complaints and suggestions.

“I’d rather have you come to us here if there are concerns,” board member Roderick H. MacMillian said.

Group members, however, said that they had been studying the budget and believe that they could offer solutions.

“We support the district in their current effort to involve parents in the budget process and request that this effort continue with the implementation of . . . a citizens’ committee,” stated a letter signed by the parents and submitted to the board Tuesday night. “Our vision is to see the use of district funds maximized so that all programs supported by the board receive consistent funding.”

The board will decide at its May 12 meeting whether to involve the parent group in budget talks.