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Republicans must not remain on the sidelines in the struggle for control of LAUSD.

Even though they may be tempted to sit back and observe—with, I might add, a slight sense of glee—Republicans have a duty to their community to take an active role in the power struggle taking place for the fate of the 770,000 children in LAUSD.  After all, those children are not Democrats, Republicans, Greens, Peace & Freedom, Libertarians or affiliated with any party: they are kids.

The prominent groups and political figures engaged in this battle have been opposed to many positions held by Republicans in the past, and most likely will be in the future. But as an American, this cannot be an excuse to avoid the responsibility of standing up for the community in which I reside.

As a community advocate, I have appeared in front of the LAUSD Board and the Superintendent  Roy Romer in opposition to actions they were about to take.  I am the first and sometimes the loudest voice to oppose a board decision.

The shortcomings of the current system are not in question in the effort to oppose AB1381. The effort to pressure California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto AB1381 is focused on the attempt by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to take control of the district—a move which has only addressed the shift of power, not a solution to the current challenges.

The mayor, who left the California State Assembly as Speaker, has called on his friends in the Assembly to draft a bill which would circumvent the vote of the people who elected the Board Members of LAUSD.  The bill, which has been rushed out of the State Senate Education Committee, will begin working its way to the desk of the governor in a matter of weeks.

Let us look at the accomplishments of the man who wants to control a budget larger than that of the city of Los Angeles.  When Villaraigosa left the Assembly, the state had gone from a surplus to a multi billion dollar deficit.  From the Assembly he returned to Los Angeles, running for City Council District 14.  The district was in much need of support.  His pledge to the residents of CD14 was that if elected he would complete his four year term and bring reform to the community.  Within two years he was already leaving to run for mayor, leaving the district behind.

The mayor brings to his aid the former president of LAUSD Jose Huizar.  Where was Mr. Huizar on reforming LAUSD when he was president of the board?  Why would he be in a better position to reform the district as a city council member (CD14) put in office by Mayor Villaraigosa, than as President of the Board?  The mayor has also brought Assemblywomen Jackie Goldberg, another Los Angeles political figure, to his aid.  Ms. Goldberg is a former LAUSD board member and city council member.

So before you say I am being too personal in pointing out the mayor’s track record and that of his supporters, remember that the mayor has only addressed the issue of control. His track record and that of his advisors are critical when speaking of who will be in charge.

The text of AB1381 can be found at our website.  You can also read the fine print.  Some of my objections to the bill include the following:

• Authority is given to the superintendent to appoint the principal of a school within the district. If the superintendent can appoint one, she can appoint all!
• The bill would limit the authority to contract with private parties in areas held by “represented employees”.  So no matter how much money could be saved, “Union” is only spoken here.
• The superintendent can request the state board waive all or part of any section of the Education Code and would deem the waiver granted for two years if the state board fails to take action.
• The bill will require the administrative staff of the LAUSD board be employed by the district, not the board.  To whom will the staff be accountable: the board, or those who can fire and hire them?
• The bill creates a “Council of Mayors” who will hire the superintendent and oversee the district, but the authority given to each is determined by the population of their city. The term used in the bill is “weighted vote”. Of the cities within the LAUSD district who would you say is the Mayor with the number one “weighted vote”?
• The mayors do not have to participate; they will be authorized to appoint a representative who will be involved in everything from choosing a superintendent to choosing school sites.

Republicans have a duty to engage and we must do it now.

David Hernandez is chairman of Republicans for Rational Reform.