ON THE ISSUES

* CHARTER SCHOOLS

“I think charter schools are a great idea,” she said. Johnson added

that she doesn’t know much about the Mesa Leadership Academy charter

school that parents in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District are

trying to start, but she does favor the idea of giving “more input to

local communities and parents.”

* SCHOOL VOUCHERS

Johnson supports the idea of parental choice, if not Proposition 38

specifically, which has been criticized as being poorly written.

“I support public schools 100% -- 1,000%,” she said, but she would

like to see families in troubled areas offered a better option.

* HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BRING UP TEST SCORES?

Johnson said the answer to improving student test scores is a complete

return to phonics and to “make sure that whole language is out.” Also,

English-language learners should be fully emerged in English as soon as

possible, she added.

“These kids aren’t going to have a chance to succeed if they don’t

learn English fast,” she said.

* WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE BOND MONEY GO FIRST?

She would like to see repairs started at “the old schools” first, she

said.

“I’ve driven past Harbor High. I’ve not been in, and it doesn’t look

too bad. But Ensign, just from the outside, that old brick building, you

can tell it has problems,” she said.

The first things that should be done, however, should be anything that

poses safety issues, she added.

* ZERO TOLERANCE

Johnson has said in recent weeks that she would like to uphold the

policy. But after doing some research, she added that she would like to

see more counseling included.

“I would support the policy with transfer,” she said. “The reason is

that there needs to be expectations and boundaries.”