By Brigid Cianfrani and Carol Crane

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board (NMUSD) ushered in a new term for 2025 as Superintendent Dr. Wesley Smith swore in the newly re-elected trustees for their four-year cycle. All three incumbents, Carol Crane, Dr. Leah Ersoylu and Krista Weigand returned to the dais. The Board appointed new officers: Krista Weigand is the new Board President, Dr. Leah Ersoylu is the Vice-President and Michelle Murphy the Board Clerk. The first major action for the Board is to fill the vacancy in Area 5 that is currently open due to Michelle Barto’s election to the Newport Beach City Council. Interviews with prospective applicants were held January 27th at a special meeting of the Board. The trustees had until February 7th, 2025 to find an appointee. Area 5 represents Newport Elementary, Ensign, Newport Heights Elementary and Newport Harbor High School. At the time of publication, no candidate had been named.

Winter sports have launched at our high schools and include boys and girls soccer, boys basketball and girls water polo. Our high schools have been producing champions. Max Douglass of Corona del Mar HIgh School's Cross Country team ran at the highest level and placed 18th at the Foot Locker National Cross Country Championship held in San Diego. Leading up to the competition, Douglass was crowned the Division 4 CIF Southern Section champion. We wish all of our athletes a fulfilling winter season.

Tickets for the 2025 CDM Home Tour are on sale NOW and will be available until they sell out. You can find tickets and other opportunities at the CdMHomeTour.org website. The CDM Home Tour is a one-day fundraising event on Friday, March 7th which benefits Corona del Mar Middle and High Schools. Guests visit selected designer homes in the Newport Beach and Corona del Mar neighborhoods. The event includes a morning reception, luncheon, shopping boutique and an after-party. It’s a wonderful way to see our beautiful coastal community, spend time with friends and support our students and teachers.

Brigid Cianfrani and Carol Crane are longtime volunteers in the Newport Mesa Unified School District, former PTA presidents at the elementary and high school levels and former Zone Pack chairs. Carol Crane currently serves as a member on the Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) board, Trustee Area 3: Brigid Cianfrani works as a substitute teacher in the district and is the current chair of the CdM Zone Pack Committee.

For more info: NMUSD.us | IG @ newportmesausd

Email: Carol Crane: ccrane@nmusd.us | Brigid Cianfrani: brigidcianfrani@gmail.com