Newport-Mesa Unified Gets $2.5-Million Gift

The Irvine Co. has donated $2.5 million to improve science education in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, the company announced. The gift will enable the district to hire additional teachers over the next decade.

The real estate investment company and its chairman, Donald Bren, have a history of local school district donations, including $1 million in June to fund after-school programs in the Santa Ana Unified School District and an April commitment of $20 million to support arts, music and science teachers in the Irvine Unified School District.