Foley will lead Mesa High School Foundation

Katrina Foley, Newport-Mesa Unified School District trustee, is the new president of the Costa Mesa High School Foundation.

The foundation announced a new slate of 14 officers Thursday during its annual meeting and lunch at the Capital Grille in South Coast Plaza.

Debbie Speer will continue to serve as vice president, with Joe Wolf as treasurer; Debra Wanbaugh as financial secretary and Donna Todd as secretary.

This year’s officers represent a wide variety of Costa Mesa residents, expanding the overall view of the foundation. The board is made up of parents, lawyers, a real estate agent, a teacher, a marketing expert and other professionals, said Foley.

“It’s going to expand our network of opportunity, our contacts and the skill set for our board,” she said.

Several school and city officials, including school Trustee David Brooks, Newport-Mesa Supt. Fred Navarro, Assistant Supt. of Secondary Education Chuck Hinman, Mayor Jim Righeimer, City CEO Tom Hatch and Assistant City CEO Rick Francis attended the luncheon.

Costa Mesa High Principal Phil D’Agostino played a video made by his students — some in the audience said it looked professional — and discussed the Mustangs’ recent athletic and academic successes. Also in attendance were principals from other Costa Mesa campuses.

The foundation was created in October 2003 to manage an endowment gifted to the school from the C.J. Segerstrom & Sons family.

For the past 10 years, the foundation has funded more than $502,000 in grants to the high school, according to the foundation’s annual report.

Most of the funding comes from interest on the account, allowing the board to preserve the principal, Foley explained.

The grants go toward educational equipment, such as lab supplies, books, anatomy models, instruments for the band, sheet music, cameras and computers, as well as murals, banners and other items.

The Costa Mesa home tour will be one of the larger fundraisers for the organization this year.

Mirrored after similar home tours in Corona del Mar and Newport Beach, the Costa Mesa community will be able to tour five impressive or unique homes in the city in December.

The money raised from ticket sales will benefit the foundation’s efforts at the high school, Foley said.