Board Studies New Elementary School
The school board tonight will consider building an elementary school in Corona del Mar and leasing 13 portable classrooms to cope with rising enrollment in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.
Through a special tax assessment district, the school district can raise as much as $15 million to buy land and build a school near Newport Beach’s southernmost city limit. The tax district was formed several years ago so that area homeowners could pay for additional school facilities.
“We will raise only what is needed to put the school in place,” Supt. Mac Bernd said.
For a year, trustees have discussed how to deal with a projected enrollment increase of 1,000 students by 2000.
If the district leases portable classrooms, three would be placed at Abraham Lincoln Elementary in Corona del Mar. Another option, Bernd said, is to convert the gymnasium’s locker room and storage area into classrooms. The district staff is studying which alternative would be more cost-effective.
At a study session last week, the school board also reviewed proposals to redraw school boundaries and reopen the former Rea School in Costa Mesa.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Harper Community Center, 425 E. 18th St., Costa Mesa.
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