While a new California law to give him partial authority over the Los Angeles public schools remains in legal limbo, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa last week outlined six broad strategies that he said are crucial to making the city’s schools successful.
The mayor unveiled the 30-page plan Jan. 17 at a town hall meeting that included David L. Brewer III, the superintendent of the 708,000-student Los Angeles Unified School District, who has said he wants to work with the mayor on improving the nation’s second-largest school district.
Mr. Villaraigosa called for high expectations for students, rigorous curricula, small and safe campuses, parental and community involvement, strong school leaders, and an increase in funding, both public and private.
A majority of school board members opposed the Democratic mayor’s legislative efforts to gain some control over the district and sued to stop the law, approved last fall. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge sided with the school board and ruled late last month that the measure violates the state constitution. The mayor has since asked for an expedited appeal before the California Supreme Court.
