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Bonnie Swann, principal of Mariners Elementary School in Newport Beach, has been appointed to lead special education programs for the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. Swann, who has
been an administrator at Mariners for seven years, will step into her new position at a difficult time. While school districts face new state and federal requirements to offer certain
programs, state and federal grants have declined. “We are committed to offering quality special education, but we would like it to be funded at a much higher level than it is now,” Supt. Mac
Bernd said Tuesday. “It certainly puts this district and others in a bind.” Bernd said that Swann was chosen for the job because she is a savvy administrator and also a former special
education teacher. Tammy Parham, principal at California Elementary School in Costa Mesa, will succeed Swann at Mariners in the fall. Paul Twedt, principal of Harbor View Elementary in
Corona del Mar, will replace Parham. A new principal for Harbor View has not been chosen. MORE TO READ