'Hurricane Forces' Buffet New Superintendent

Los Angeles

Roy Romer shuts a doorway leading from one conference room to another, leaving behind negotiations between the Los Angeles Unified School District and its teachers' union. Awaiting him on this side of the door is a reporter, ready to ask him why it's such a struggle to get a good education at Manual Arts High School.

The discussion never gets that far.

Instead, Mr. Romer, who began work in June as Los Angeles' superintendent, says there are other problems so overwhelming, so immediate, that it will be a while before he's able to consider the everyday challenges...