NEWPORT BEACH : District to Weigh Public’s Generosity

The financially strapped Newport-Mesa Unified School District, which suffered a major scandal last year, will put the public’s trust to the test as it considers launching its first fund-raising effort in district history.

Before that happens, school district officials want a study to gauge public and corporate interest in making donations.

So the question on everybody’s lips is: Has the school district recovered enough from last year’s $4-million embezzlement scandal to ask the public to give money?

“Of course, if we all knew and felt we were ready to go ahead, there would be no point in doing a feasibility study,” said Board President Roderick H. MacMillian.

“I have heard horror stories about fund-raising programs. . . . It is all a big expense. I really want to look at it very, very closely before I put any district money into it.”

In last week’s Board of Education hearing, four consulting firms presented proposals for such a study, which could cost anywhere from $22,000 to $33,000.

“It is hard to ask for large amounts of cash if the level of public confidence is not very high,” said Forrest K. Werner, a board member. “I don’t think we have fully recovered from what happened last fall.”

The district is attempting to recoup the almost $4 million stolen by the former district budget director, Stephen A. Wagner, and is conducting a nationwide search for a new superintendent.

Werner and others said the district should wait until a new superintendent is hired before soliciting donations.

“We are not talking about a onetime fund-raising effort,” Werner said. “We are talking about an annual program . . . just like what Hoag Hospital does: They go back year after year to the same donors.”

School officials hope that the Irvine Co.’s $2-million donation at last week’s board meeting will be a good first step. The money is the second installment of a $5-million package of donations promised in 1990.

Board members Jim de Boom, Martha Fluor and Edward H. Decker will recommend alternatives for funding an initial study at the April 13 meeting.

A consulting firm would interview 50 to 75 prominent donors throughout the county for the study.

The effort would focus on raising more funds for the sports programs and performing arts programs that have been depleted in recent years.

That would free money to repair leaky roofs, improve air-conditioning systems and replace aging desks and chairs.

“It is easier to raise money for sports than for performing arts and international studies,” de Boom said. “If we had an extra $1 million a year, we could do those sorts of things.”

“One thing (is) critical about fund raising,” Werner said. “The people in organizations that give to others must have confidence that their money will be spent correctly.”