NEWPORT BEACH : Search Committee Deadline Is Today

Residents interested in serving on a committee that will interview candidates for superintendent of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District must file their applications today.

At a special meeting Tuesday, the Board of Education will consider appointing 14 residents to join administrators, teachers, students and others to the 45-member committee.

Board of Education members will choose one resident from each of the city’s seven council districts. The board will then fill the seven remaining positions from the applicant pool.

With the help of a search firm hired by the California School Boards Assn., the district hopes to hire a new superintendent by summer.

The district asks that each committee member attend at least 15 hours of interview sessions during the candidate evaluation phase. Most of the interviews will occur the week of May 17 through 21. Sixteen committee seats will be reserved for representatives of school district groups: two students, four teachers selected by the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers; four classified employees selected by the California School Employees Assn.; and two parents selected by the Harbor PTA Council. Each of the four district high schools will appoint participants.

Committee members will also be culled from various groups outside the school district, including the chambers of commerce in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and Costa Mesa.

Last-minute applicants can fax letters, which explain their interest and relevant experience, to Board of Education President Roderick H. MacMillian at (714) 645-4563.