COSTA MESA

While the Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s free preschool program will be tripled in size this fall, the program has been left begging for students.

Based at Whittier Elementary School in Costa Mesa, the program will begin its third year of operation at its traditional size--48 children in one portable classroom.

But by the end of October, two additional rooms will be ready and the program can expand to 144 students, said Gladys Green, the program’s director.

Most of the new spaces are still up for grabs. But school board member Martha Fluor said she is not concerned.

“I think it hasn’t gotten out there yet,” Fluor said. “In the summer, it’s really hard because people are away. I think they’ll be filling very rapidly.”

The qualifications are based on income and family size, she said. The program is free for children from qualifying families who will be 3 to 4 years old by Dec. 2.

Information: (949) 515-6819.