Newport‑Mesa board announces release of 145 temporary certificated employees

The Newport‑Mesa Unified School District Board of Education announced in open session that, after a closed‑session meeting, the board voted to release and not re‑elect 145 temporary certificated employees pursuant to Education Code section 44954. The board directed the superintendent or designee to issue required legal notices to affected employees and recorded a roll‑call result of seven ayes and zero nos.

District officials said the action occurred in closed session and was then reported publicly at the start of the board's evening session. The board statement said the releases are effective at the end of the 2025‑26 school year and that the district will follow statutory notice requirements under Education Code section 44954.

Trustees did not discuss individual employee names or personnel details during the open readout. The board’s public statement noted only the number of affected temporary certificated staff and the legal code provision under which the action was taken. A roll‑call vote reading showed unanimous approval for the closed‑session action.

The superintendent and district counsel were directed to complete statutory notifications and any required administrative steps. The board did not provide additional operational or budgetary context in the readout; no subsequent public hearing or motion on rehiring was recorded during the meeting.

Next steps: the district will mail legally required notices to the affected employees and follow any procedural timelines set by law. The board did not announce a schedule for any follow‑up discussion in open session about staffing impacts, alternatives, or appeals.