7 NEW SCHOOLS OPEN TODAY AS ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS.

Byline: NAUSH BOGHOSSIAN Staff Writer

The nation's second-largest public school system kicks off the 2006-07 school year today with the opening of seven new schools and a cloud of uncertainty with the passage one week ago of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's legislation dramatically changing the governance of the district.

But Los Angeles Unified School District officials said despite the changes likely to take place in early 2007 -- the school board could be stripped of a great deal of its authority, and the mayor is expected to gain a significant role in running public schools -- they will continue to focus on reforms to improve student achievement, reduce the dropout rate and make sure the $19.3 billion construction program remains on track.

The seven new schools -- including one in the San Fernando Valley -- are part of a massive effort begun six years ago by Superintendent Roy Romer toward taking kids off year-round calendars and busing and into traditional fall-summer schedules in neighborhood schools. In all, 13 new schools will be built this school year.

More than 418,000 students will start today, and the 13 new schools will house more than 10,400 students. The projected enrollment this year is 712,000 -- a drop from the last school year's 727,000. About one-third of the district's 612 campuses remain on year-round calendars.

``Students are the focus of the community of learners formed by teachers, principals, administrators and parents,'' Romer said. ``We've made great strides in academic achievement and remain committed to helping children learn the critical-thinking skills that will serve them, their families and their society in years to come.''

Just last year, the district began the school year with what officials called the historic opening of 13 new schools.

Of the 13 additional schools set to open this year, two already started this summer, seven open today and the remaining four will open later in the year -- part of a program to build 155 new schools by 2012.

LAUSD has built and opened 63 campuses since 2000. Only 24 schools had opened from 1972 to 1999.

District leaders urged parents to make sure their children are back in school on time and ready to learn. Extra attendance counselors will be assigned to campuses in the first days to make sure pupils make it to school on time, including calling or visiting parents of students who do not arrive at school the first day.

``On their first day of school, our students will walk onto campuses boosted by six years of real education reform,'' board President Marlene Canter said. ``They will be greeted by teachers, principals and school staff who are focused on making this the most exciting, most productive year ever. I urge parents to make sure that their children are at school on time, ready to start the new traditional school year on the right foot.''

After a year of criticism from Villaraigosa that LAUSD is a failing district, leaders touted the programs they will unveil this school year to raise student achievement.

Extra counselors will be assigned to 80 middle schools and high schools to work with students at risk of dropping out and try to stem the rate. District officials place the dropout rate at 24 percent.

Algebra class sizes will be reduced in the eighth and ninth grades, and 17 low-performing high schools will receive $36 million to transform academics, facilities and operations.

Also, incoming students in sixth and ninth grades participated this summer in the district's Bridge Program to help them in their transition to middle school or high school.

Under the legislation that awaits a promised signature from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the mayor will oversee three of the lowest-performing high schools and their feeder elementary and middle schools, and he will have virtual veto power over the hiring of superintendents, which under the reform plan will have greater authority than ever before.

Romer has announced he plans to leave in the fall, and the district is in the process of choosing his replacement.

Officials at Villaraigosa's office have said planning has already begun to implement the reform plan that would take effect Jan. 1 if signed into law, but the bulk of the changes that would affect LAUSD classrooms will likely take effect in the 2007-08 school year.

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

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