by
Carl Hampton
09/20/2006
Most people would now agree that the Los
Angeles Unified School District is in need
of some overdue changes. While classes
continue to be overpopulated and text books
remain in short supply, there is a real need
for change. With lights and ceiling tiles
falling off regularly our students just
aren't able to learn, there is a real need
for change.
At long last change is about to happen, but
will it really make a difference to our
children. A bill was signed on Monday,
September 18 by governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger (Republican) granting mayor
Antonio Villaraigosa (Democrat) limited
control over the Los Angeles Unified School
District.
When this bill goes into effect in January
2007, Villaraigosa, as well as other mayors,
could, if they get it right, change how
730,000 students are taught in the city of
Los Angeles. The signing occurred at a
ceremony at the Central Library in Downtown
Los Angeles. The bill provides Villaraigosa
with direct control over three schools,
which have yet to be decided upon, and their
feeder schools.
Villaraigosa has requested to work with
specific schools, Crenshaw and Dorsey in Los
Angeles; Sylmar and Monroe in the San
Fernando Valley; Belmont which is west of
downtown; and Roosevelt in Boyle Heights.
Although the mayor has direct control, he
will not have complete control of the
schools. This authority he will have to
share with the school board (which will
loose most of its powers under the new
bill), the superintendent and a new council
of mayors. There are more power shifts to be
taken into account such as, the
superintendent will have new budget
responsibilities with the school board
having limited power to review the budget.
The board will now have no direct management
over their staff.
The mayor has faced a lot of ill feelings by
the district who opposed the bill and were
absent at the bill signing. The bill is a
watered down version of the New York bill
passed by their current Mayor. Villaraigosa
accepted the changes as a stepping stone to
gaining full power some time down the road.
The board voted 6 to 1 to take legal action
and sue to try and block the bill. At this
time, Villaraigosa only has one ally on the
board, Monica Garcia.
Villaraigosa is a Democrat who has endorsed
Phil Angelides in the November election
against Schwarzenegger who is a Republican.
This should make for a very interesting time
as they all appear to be supporting each
other. How will the politics work out? How
do the children benefit? Will the children
benefit or has this bill just put them into
a political mine field?
Have an opinion or a question you would like
me to answer, then write me!
http://www.CarlHampton.com
