Tamara Fairbanks presented the Newport-Mesa Unified School District's arts report, describing how Prop 28 funds and outside partnerships are expanding arts access at both the secondary and elementary levels.

Fairbanks said secondary schools have arts coaching (citing Monte Vista and Rebecca Waldron) and that elementary sites have added three dance teachers and three theater teachers assigned across multiple schools. She said the district is still working to restore a consistent elementary visual-arts standard.

On music programs, Fairbanks said the Save the Music Foundation provided about $60,000 in music equipment and materials to Teawinkle (band program) and Kelly Brook Elementary (orchestra program), including instruments and books that enabled a full orchestra at Kelly Brook. She said professional development led by Gregory Whitmore (Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra/Cal State Fullerton) was a four-hour clinic described as especially valuable by participants.

Fairbanks also noted partnerships with Backhouse Dance, Contempo Ballet, Jose Costas assemblies, Orange Coast College workshops, and multiple feeder-school collaborations to strengthen music and theater pipelines. She invited commissioners to district events including the Newport-Mesa Arts Commission meeting and Estancia High School theater performances; she also noted a naming ceremony for a performing-arts center scheduled for Nov. 12.

Commissioners praised the district's work and singled out partnerships and community engagement as key successes. Fairbanks said she would forward dates for spring arts showcases and reiterated the district's goal of expanding instruments and programs, particularly in Title I schools.