COSTA MESA / NEWPORT BEACH : Schools Get $928,000 Allocation From State

The state has allocated $928,000 to Newport-Mesa Unified School District for instructional material, maintenance and educational technology. The money was apportioned to school districts and county offices of education through a voter-approved block grant.

At today’s district board meeting, trustees will seek suggestions from the public on how to spend the money.

Principals polled by district officials identified four key areas where the money could be spent: photocopy machines, maintenance, technology and cleaning.

Staff recommendations include purchase of instructional material and equipment; hardware and extra staff to continue developing technology education; cleaning restroom floor surfaces; and building infrastructure repair.

Deferred maintenance is “the single most frequent complaint heard by staff from teachers,” said Michael Fine, district director of fiscal services in a report to trustees.

Fine’s report says that state funding of deferred maintenance has declined by more than 50% in the last 10 years.

Attention to school roofs is considered the highest priority, he said. “Unfortunately, roof repairs and replacement are one of the least visible projects, since most of our school staff, parents and the community don’t see roofs,” Fine said. “However, they do see, feel and smell the damage caused by leaking roofs.”

In other action at today’s meeting, trustees will reorganize the board for the 1995-96 school year. Trustees will be selected for one-year terms as president, vice president and clerk.

The trustees will meet at 7 p.m in the Harper Community Center, 425 18th St., Costa Mesa.