Retired principal to run for school board

A former Newport-Mesa Unified School District principal has emerged from retirement to run for a spot on the board of education.

Charlene Metoyer, who was principal of Harbor View Elementary School until retiring in 2012, announced her candidacy in an email Monday.

Metoyer has been involved in the Newport-Mesa Unified community for 38 years. In that time, she’s worked as an elementary school teacher, an adult-education principal at Pomona and Sonora elementary schools and Davis Magnet School, a district science and math coordinator and principal of Eastbluff and Harbor View elementary schools.

In February 2010, she was named Principal of the Year in the district and in the county.

“My broad experience allows me unique insight into the diverse needs of all individuals in the community,” she wrote. “Our students deserve a rigorous curriculum in a safe environment, which will prepare them for success.”

If elected, Metoyer would replace Katrina Foley, who currently represents the Costa Mesa High School zone on the board and is running for a seat on the City Council. Foley has endorsed Metoyer, as has the Retired Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers and Councilman Gary Monahan.

Metoyer’s experience as a teacher, principal and parent makes her an ideal candidate for the board of education, Foley said.

“She certainly doesn’t have a learning curve in terms of the education code and the procedures involved in schools,” Foley said. “She can bring a perspective that no one, including myself, has up there.”

Metoyer, who is so far unopposed, plans to focus on early childhood education, maintaining the high caliber of elementary, middle and high schools in the district and emphasizing college, career and technology education for students, according to her website.