COSTA MESA / NEWPORT BEACH : ‘Lingering Distrust’ in District Reported

Consultants hired to explore the community’s willingness to donate money to the Newport-Mesa Unified School District reported this week that skepticism among residents and businesses would thwart that effort.

“Although a sense of cautious optimism exists, the community is wary about making any kind of financial investment until they have seen measurable results and progress,” according to the report from ST Enterprises based in Pasadena.

The district, which suffered through a $4-million embezzlement scandal masterminded by former budget director Stephen A. Wagner, has expressed interest in turning to the community for financial help.

Last April, the Newport-Mesa school board paid ST Enterprises $33,000 to take gauge the willingness of corporate and private sources to donate money.

While the study uncovered “lingering distrust,” Supt. Mac Bernd said, the school district is trying to turn that around. He said new leadership in the district and the curriculum study released this week prove that the district is committed to excellence.

The study released this week,, which includes interviews with 56 local business leaders, residents and civic leaders, also reports that the local economy has sapped the strength of philanthropic donors.

There is also a perception that the district’s students are not prepared for college or the workplace.

“People in the business world do hire our graduates,” Bernd said. “If they are not getting the people they need, we have to be responsive to that. . . . The interesting thing is I have had some conversations with business people who have expressed interest in working together.”