Newport-Mesa board unanimously extends superintendent's contract, adopts textbooks and new culinary CTE course

At its June 24 meeting the Newport-Mesa Unified School District board approved several action items by unanimous vote.

The board approved a fourth amendment to Superintendent Smith's employment agreement, extending his contract by one year under the terms allowed after a positive evaluation. "The only one I ask for is that you keep letting me serve," Smith said when presenting the request. The motion to approve the extension was moved by Trustee Pearson and seconded by Trustee Murphy; the roll call vote recorded unanimous approval.

The board also adopted two secondary textbooks, human anatomy and physiology and precalculus, after staff reported the materials had been on public display for 30 days with no comments. Dr. Torres presented the textbooks. Trustee Murphy moved the adoption, seconded by Trustee Ersoylu; the motion passed by roll call.

Finally, the board approved the addition of a high-school and middle-school course in the career-technical-education pathway: a baking-and-pastries class for the culinary program. Dr. Torres said the course expands options for students pursuing culinary careers; Trustee Crane emphasized the distinction between bakers and chefs and praised the new course. Trustee Pearson moved the measure, Trustee Crane seconded, and the board approved it unanimously.

All votes reported in the meeting were recorded by roll call with trustees answering in the affirmative; no votes against or abstentions were recorded for the items covered here. The board then continued to adopt routine consent items and resolutions later in the meeting.