THE RACE FOR NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF

EDUCATION

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- The yellow plastic baby swing hanging from the tree in

the frontyard tells it all.

Before you even enter Ila Johnson’s favorite place -- her home --

you’ve seen why she loves it so. It’s where she spends most of her time

with her children and grandchildren.

“This is where I have all my fun,” Johnson said, as she led the way

into the warm and cozy living room, past the kitchen, where home-baked

chocolate chip cookies cooled. “You’d think I have day care in here by

the crib and highchair and all. I have six grandchildren.”

Even releasing this much information has been a struggle for Johnson,

who considers herself a private person.

It’s probably a good thing, she said with a laugh, that she did not

know how much attention she was in for while campaigning, or she may have

thought even longer and harder about running.

But learning that all three school board incumbents were initially

unopposed appalled her after hearing such dissent in the community,

Johnson said.

Then she did a little research and realized this would be the second

election in a row with the incumbents running unopposed.

“People all complain about the school district, but no one will do

anything,” she said. “I researched and found out that that happened last

time.”

And so she said, she searched within herself and decided it was time

for a change.

“In fact, that’s what Martha Fluor said nine years ago,” Johnson said.

“When she was running against Tom Williams, she said it was time for a

change. Well, it’s time for a change again.”

And regardless of the outcome, Johnson said she is glad she has run

and given people the option for change, she said.

“I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone,” she said. “If I don’t do

anything else for the school district, I have done this. I’ve given

voters a choice.”