Only one ding against district

Marisa O’Neil

State inspectors complimented the Newport-Mesa Unified School

District after reviewing several of its government-funded programs

this week.

A team from the California Department of Education found only one

program not in compliance after checking Estancia High School,

TeWinkle Middle School, Wilson Elementary School and Harper Child

Development Center to make sure they are using the funds properly. A

sampling of schools in each district in the state gets audited every

four years to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

“It’s a lot of work because there are so many laws and

regulations,” Estancia Principal Tom Antal said of preparing for the

inspections. “But it’s a great validation because these regulations

are written to give the best school programs possible for students.”

The “categorical funds” totaling $13 million, including Title I,

Title II and grant money -- all generally associated with a

low-income student population -- are at stake in the inspections. Any

noncompliance found in the sampling of schools would count against

the entire district.

After reviewing programs at the sites, the team of four found one

program -- the School Site Council at TeWinkle Middle School -- was

not in compliance because it had more students than parents. The

council must have an even number of students and parents said Bonnie

Swann, director for elementary education and curriculum for the

district.

The school has until Dec. 22 to propose its resolution of the

matter.

“It’s almost unheard of to have only one noncompliant issue,”

Swann said. “Hard work really does pay off when the right group of

people get together.”

The review team wrote commendations for the district on its

review, complimenting its adult education, child development and

reading programs. The report also cited the district’s self-review of

Title II Part A, a new program that came from the federal No Child

Left Behind Act of 2001.

Because the program started being implemented in the state this

year, there is no precedent for its evaluation, Swann said. The

report indicated that Newport-Mesa’s program will be “setting the

bar” that the inspector will use in other districts.

“This helps us stay focused and make sure we’re on track, making

sure our resources are used properly,” Supt. Robert Barbot said of

the review.