Technology consultant vies for school board
CHICO » Michael Johnson decided it was the right time to pursue a position on the Chico Unified School District Board of Trustees.
His kids were all out of school and he’d previously served on the Red Bluff Union Elementary School Board, so Johnson made the decision to enter the race.
Johnson, a Navy reservist and chief petty officer, is one of six candidates seeking a position on the Chico school board. Currently, two spots are open as board president Elizabeth Griffin and member Linda Hovey seek reelection.
“Because I had kids in the district it felt like it might be some potential conflict of interest. I didn’t want to be in that position,” Johnson said. “Now, it makes sense. I have a technology background and it seems like there’s a needfor that background (on the board).”
In addition to serving in the Navy, he’s also finishing up earning degrees in political science and international relations at Chico State.
Johnson previously worked for a publishing company in Roseville and spent three years working at Apple. He left Apple and moved to Red Bluff where he started his own tech support business.
Johnson was appointed to the Red Bluff Union Elementary School Board and served from 2007- 08 after a member had resigned from the board. He was
one of three candidates to apply for the vacant spot. He said he learned a lot in the position about politics and school budgets.
“I thought it was a chance to do something
for the community and see what the environment would be like,” Johnson said. “I really enjoyed it.”
He moved to Chico in 2010 and later served as the Parent-Teacher Association president for Chico High in 2015-16. His five kids went through the public school system with one of his sons graduating from CORE Butte Charter School.
“I’ve gotten to see alternative education sides to the pie,” Johnson said.
Johnson has been around computers since 1979. Since schooling has shifted toward distance learning, Johnson said he wants to make sure every student is well equipped. For work, Johnson said he’s had to help assist people in rural areas with connectivity and technology issues. He’s seen the struggles families have had when it comes to online access.
“Do we have the means to get kids the basic tools like internet access, computers?” Johnson said. “What do we do for working families or what do we do for kids who don’t have those resources? We need to make sure school is good for those kids.”
Johnson, who’s currently doing online classes at Chico State, said he wants to help develop new, creative ways to elevate distance learning in public schools.
“I’m thinking about the next generation and what kind of legacy there is to be left. Things aren’t good right now,” Johnson said. “We’re seeing things we’ve never seen before. Iwant to see kids knowing theworld andbeingready for it. We’re making citizens here.”