Monday, December 25, 2006
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was handed a stunning defeat when Dzintra Janavs declared unconstitutional his newly won authority over the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Judge Dzintra Janavs said the law, which would have taken effect Jan. 1, violated multiple provisions of the state Constitution and the Los Angeles City Charter. She ordered public officials "to refrain from enforcing or implementing" any part of Assembly Bill 1381, which codified Villaraigosa's powers.
Judge Dzintra Janavs, 70, is a 20 year jurist and an immigrant from Latvia. She was the only Superior Court judge to be challenged this past election cycle--and she lost! But Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger re-appointed her to the bench, a privilege allowed under California's convoluted system.
Villaraigosa responded by saying that he'll ask the California Supreme Court for an expedited ruling on the case.
The judge cited a 1946 constitutional amendment that "specifically removed municipal authority over school districts and appears to reflect the people's determination to separate municipal functions from school functions due to the variety of conflicts that arise between their respective interests."
The decision appears to be a major set-back for implementing the mayor's priority of fixing L.A.'s broken schools. Villaraigosa promised to continue with plans for improve schools under his control.
However, this development may actually be a blessing, giving the mayor both the moral high ground as well as more political latitude in which to operate. The truth is that every reformer knows that the plan was struck down was a terrible plan which would have only stalled real reform.
Instead of a major headache the mayor now has two pretty nice opportunities: 1) the mayor can further isolate the L.A. school board as obstructionist and uncommitted to improving the schools which serve a disproportionate number of Latino students; and 2) he's free now to support the establishment of an alternative public school system through charter schools.
School reform watchers did take note of the recent hiring by Villaraigosa of Steve Barr, founder of Green Dot Public Schools and the L.A. Parents Union. This was a wise and visionary move on the part of the mayor.
Look for a pro-Villaraigosa school board slate this spring in a bid to overthrow the current anti-reform board. And look for the establishment of Green Dot-type charter school networks.
Bottom Line: Villaraigosa may have lost the battle with the judge, but he's now set-up to win the war.
If successful--and I don't see why he won't be, Villaraigosa will succeed Schwarzenegger as governor of California.
Posted by USTaino at 2:21 PM 0 comments
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