CTA, Villaraigosa strike schools deal

Here's the full release from Speaker Fabian Nunez: Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D-Los Angeles), Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Senate Pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland), Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), Assembly Majority Leader Dario Frommer (D-Glendale), A.J. Duffy of the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) and Lynne Faulks of the California Teacher’s Association (CTA) today announced legislation to reform Los Angeles’s troubled school system in the form of Assembly Bill 1381 (Núñez). “The children of Los Angeles are the real winners here,” Speaker Núñez said. “We have worked to strike a solid balance between the needs of the LA school district, the teacher’s union and the steps that must be taken to improve school achievement and create a brighter future for our children.” The historic legislation, by Speaker Núñez and Senator Romero, contains several key elements to reform the Los Angeles Unified School District. They include: Granting expanded authority to the LAUSD Superintendent to make personnel, business operation, budgetary and facilities decisions. Keeping the authority of the School Board intact by focusing the Board of Education’s focus on student achievement. Establishes a Council of Mayors of those cities that have schools in the LAUSD to enhance their interaction with the school district in regard to reviewing budgets. Creates a central role for the Mayor of Los Angeles with the leadership of the LAUSD by giving the Council of Mayors a role in the selection and final hiring of a Superintendent. Giving greater instructional choice to educators at their schools sites. Streamlines process for LA schools to receive wavers from the State Board of Education. Creating a Mayor’s Community Partnership for School Excellence. Established in statute a six-year sunset provision with an opportunity to extend reforms based on final evaluations.