Deadline Delayed on Irvine Co. Deal

The Irvine Co. has granted a one-month extension to the Laguna Beach Unified School District to decide on a company agreement that would ensure enrollment of an estimated 342 students expected from development along Newport Coast.

School officials had requested four months, until May 30, to research how the influx of students would affect the district’s operating expenses and the infrastructure needs at the district’s five schools.

If students do not attend Laguna schools, they could attend schools in neighboring Newport-Mesa Unified School District as long as the districts’ boundaries are changed.

“Newport-Mesa needs to begin the planning process” if it intends to enroll the students, said Paul Kranhold, a spokesman for the developer.

“We’ll do our best to get the research done,” Laguna Beach school board member Eileen T. Walsh said. “We certainly don’t want to jeopardize the transfer.”