The Education Wonks
You may feel CA has a strong tradition of democratically elected.. etc. school boards. But in reality the Los Angeles school district is probably larger than Rhode Island and may have a larger budget. There is little local about it. There is much to improve.
Board members are mostly professional politicans pondering a move up to higher office. Others are old pols putting another notch on their career with a nice office close to home.
Since no one person runs the board there is no responsibilty whatever for how the schools function.
Once or twice a century the actual administrator (chosen by the board) may get fired. Otherwise he or she has lifetime tenure since the board will avoid the inevitable fight on ethnic lines over the replacement.
It is more sensible to have the Mayor appoint those who run the schools than to continue the present arrangement. At least people will then know who put them in and someone will be considered responsible.
You have got to be "kidding."(or...as my dear, departed father,most certainly would have "added," "What have you all been smoking?") Villaraigosa wants the people of LA to trust him (yikes!!!)to "improve" LAUSD, using some sort of "mysterious-methodology"(that he so far, has refused to specifically-discuss(in a public forum)with anyone,except...perhaps...Mirthala? What do YOU think?).We're all supposed to just "trust-him?" Does his soon to be ex-wife "trust him" anymore? Maybe she knows "a few things," that "the rest of us" don't.
I for one, believe in democracy. If... more than 7% of LA's voters,would actually bother to educate themselves(about the many different complex: educational,social,cultural & political issues, which regularly effect & "impact-upon" LA's "educational-experience")and...if these same people would actually "show up & VOTE"in the next school board election and...in a few"other-elections"(after that),our city's schools could all,once again,become the envy our nation. An"aware-electorate" would really go a "long way" toward improving all of our government offices and institutions(including decisions made by publicly elected school-board members).
The people of LA have a long way to go (on this issue).We(as voters)should never give up our own individual power, to choose & decide what's best for our city,state & country(including our public schools).If we are unwilling to assume this responsibility,then we deserve what we "end up with."
I personally do not trust our mayor to successfully run/supervise our school district.His "track-record"(as a competent/trustworthy leader)so far...isn't very impressive.A more effective solution...people of LA...become "better-educated" about issues that ARE IMPORTANT!!Take a little time to actually talk with(and...listen to):the parents,the teachers & the kids(who actively participate in "LA's educational processes.Do these people actually have some good ideas too? Find out! Educate yourselves.Then (and only then),vote(with your heart & with your brain).
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