COSTA MESA

Newport-Mesa Unified School District officials plan to hold a public meeting in the next few weeks to discuss the opening of a charter school. The meeting is the legally required first step in response to petitions that have been pouring into Orange County school districts requesting the creation of charter schools. The district received a petition earlier this month.

Two firms, American Charter and Opportunities for Learning, have sent petitions to districts throughout the county and state. To date, Newport-Mesa has received a petition only from American Charter. The district must, under state law, hold a public meeting to allow the community to respond within 30 days of receiving the petition. After another 30-day information-gathering stage, the school board has to vote to approve or deny the petition. Information: (949) 760-3200.