COSTA MESA : Some Adams Students Will Be Sent to Wilson

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District has adopted a plan to redraw the boundaries that determine which children attend Adams Elementary School in Costa Mesa.

Beginning next year, a number of students who live in an area of the city known as the Joann Street Rectangle will be redirected to Wilson School, despite the recommendation of Supt. Mac Bernd in a report to the board in support of the current boundaries.

Some parents who spoke at a public hearing also objected to the new boundaries, which will send 90 Latino children to a different school.

“I am glad my children are exposed to another culture and another socioeconomic class,” parent Cathy Hartwell said. “I think my kids will grow up to be more well-rounded individuals.”

But other parents had objected to the practice of busing children to the school from other parts of town and had maintained that boundaries should be redrawn so that the school on Clubhouse Road would serve only children in the Mesa Verde community.

Despite vocal opposition at the hearing and studies showing that Adams has the capacity for 100 additional pupils, the board passed the motion Tuesday night, citing concerns about making room at the school for future classes.

“In that particular area of the district there is a significant increase in the number of young families,” board member Edward H. Decker said. “It became important to make some adjustments to accommodate those families.”