NEWPORT BEACH

For months, a black substance has been dripping from air-conditioning units at Andersen Elementary School onto floors, desks and even students’ heads.

Decrying what he called the negligence of Newport-Mesa Unified in addressing the problem, Craig Levine, a senior at Newport Harbor High School who sits on the board and whose sister attends Andersen, asked trustees recently to fix the problem: “I’d like to go on record saying I’m a little upset that nothing has been done.”

In response, Ed Hayes, who handles facilities for the district, explained that the problem has not been fixed because “we’re not talking about a simple solution.” Added Supt. Robert Barbot: “There is a problem there. We’ve made a commitment to take care of it.”