Meanwhile, the Newport‑Mesa Unified School District has finalized contracts for two key administrative appointments: Jeffrey Dixon as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Business Officer, and Tracy Knibb as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Human Resources Officer. Both will begin three‑year terms with base salaries around $296,330. Dixon previously served as acting superintendent in Laguna Beach, bringing operational and leadership experience; Knibb joins from Orange Unified, backed by over two decades in HR and school leadership roles.

A special election was held on June 10 to fill the Newport‑Beach trustee seat on the Newport‑Mesa Unified School District board after a petition overturned the provisional January appointment. Business owner Andrea McElroy led occupational therapist and former appointee Kirstin Walsh in early vote counts and ultimately won with approximately 54% of the vote.

With a June 10 special election set to fill Newport Beach’s Area 5 seat on the Newport‑Mesa Unified School Board, business owner Andrea McElroy and occupational therapist Kirstin Walsh are campaigning on distinct platforms aimed at guiding priorities in this community‑funded district.

Newport Harbor High School senior Henry Nielson Koch has launched Empower Education, a student-led initiative focused on improving educational opportunities for underserved children in Uganda and Oaxaca, Mexico. With the help of high school volunteers, the organization builds classrooms, develops curriculum, provides school supplies, and supports athletic programs in partnership with local and international nonprofits.

Sherman Library & Gardens hosted its annual Summer Garden Party in early August, welcoming around 300 guests who enjoyed dinner, live music, raffles, and a spirited hat contest in the Central Garden. Thanks to strong community support, the event raised over $77,000 to benefit the non-profit’s Habitat Explorers Program, which provides free field trip transportation for Orange County elementary school students.