| There is currently legislation AB 1381 in the state | | | | by the school district, as it currently stands. This |
| legislature that, if passed, will give the okay to Mayor | | | | eliminates the possibility of additional costs being |
| Antonio Villaraigosa to take over a subset of the Los | | | | incurred by any of the cities served. |
| Angeles schools. Recently, the mayor's school reform | | | | - Responsibility for any lawsuits or legal issues will |
| team announced its latest round of changes to the | | | | remain with the Los Angeles schools, even though |
| bill in order to sidestep some possible problems to it | | | | Villaraigosa will be making most of the decisions. This |
| passing. | | | | ensures that the County of Los Angeles and the |
| Last month, according to the Los Angeles Times' | | | | cities involved will be held blameless. |
| August 8, 2006 article, Los Angeles Chief Legislative | | | | - The takeover of the Los Angeles schools subset is |
| Analyst Gerry F. Miller made certain speculations | | | | now likened to a school district authorizing a charter |
| about the bill. He believes, if the bill is passed, the | | | | school. It is hoped by Villaraigosa's team that this |
| following may occur: | | | | language will sidestep the state constitution provision |
| - Some power could shift from the City Council to | | | | that requires public schools to be overseen by |
| Villaraigosa; | | | | established school systems. |
| - Additional costs may be incurred by the cities that | | | | Kevin Reed, general counsel for the Los Angeles |
| are served by the Los Angeles schools; and | | | | schools, was quite critical of the bill's new language, |
| - These same cities, as well as the Council of Mayors, | | | | especially concerning legal responsibility. He also said |
| could incur certain legal liabilities. | | | | the comparison of Villaraigosa's takeover to a charter |
| Legal responsibilities and costs could shift with the | | | | school, which was developed by Villaraigosa's legal |
| power, since the bill gives responsibility for the subset | | | | advisor Thomas Saenz, was erroneous. Charter |
| of Los Angeles schools directly to Villaraigosa, who | | | | schools submit to more oversight than will Villaraigosa, |
| dominates the Council of Mayors with an 80 percent | | | | if the bill becomes law. |
| vote. The Council of Mayors consists of Villaraigosa, | | | | Reed also pointed out a conflict of interest for |
| representatives from the County Board of | | | | Saenz, who is also an appointed board member of |
| Supervisors, and representatives of 27 other cities | | | | the County Office of Education. A spokesperson for |
| that are served by the Los Angeles schools. | | | | the mayor said Saenz would resign, if the bill |
| The recently announced changes to the bill are to | | | | becomes law. |
| placate the officials and representatives of the 27 | | | | Villaraigosa has some backers for his bill, which will |
| other cities concerning Miller's speculations, as well as | | | | soon be reviewed by the legislature. The bill, |
| protect the legislation from being defeated due to | | | | however, has many questionable provisions in its |
| criticisms from opponents who are aligned with the | | | | language and many strongly opposed to it. Opposition |
| Los Angeles schools officials, who are strongly | | | | comes not only from the Los Angeles schools |
| opposed to the takeover. | | | | officials, but also from many of the city |
| The new language added to the bill does the | | | | representatives on the Council of Mayors, who |
| following: | | | | already see Villaraigosa controlling too much of their |
| - Budget administration for the Los Angeles schools | | | | concerns. |
| will remain with the City Councils of the cities served | | | | |