BATHROOM-VISIT DISPUTE RESOLVED.

Byline: Jennifer Radcliffe Staff Writer

Ending months of debate over who should monitor the cleanliness of public school restrooms, Los Angeles city and school officials reached a compromise Wednesday that allows the city to make surprise bathroom inspections - but not cite the L.A. Unified School District for health and safety violations.

Under the four-part Campus Safety Inspection initiative, city workers will immediately begin tagging along on district inspections. The city will then conduct its own surprise inspections, issue recommendations and advise the school district on how to improve the state of its restrooms.

Both city and school leaders said the plan is a good partnership that will improve dirty bathrooms by building on the LAUSD's $21 million-a-year bathroom-cleanup initiative.

``I really welcome (City Attorney) Rocky Delgadillo's help, assistance and focus,'' Superintendent Roy Romer said at a news conference with city officials at Mayberry Street Elementary School in Echo Park. ``We will be better with everybody participating.''

Late last year, Romer had opposed the city's request to inspect bathrooms, saying the school district could manage the task alone.

But Delgadillo, prompted by complaints from parents and students, pressured Mayor James Hahn to insist that the school district sit down with the city and work out a joint inspection program.

After Wednesday's announcement, more than 30 city officials, school leaders and journalists toured the library, cafeteria and a teal-tiled boys' restroom at Mayberry Street Elementary School.

Pauline Garzon, a district inspector, said while the district's 3-year-old inspection program is already a national model, she doesn't mind the city's help.

``I can't see any harm in it,'' she said.

Silver Lake resident Joe Lightfoot, who has a third-grader at Mayberry, said his school doesn't have the problems with filthy and broken restrooms reported at other campuses. But he's glad that the schools are getting the attention.

``I think that's important,'' he said. ``There are a lot of very old schools.''

In addition to restroom conditions, city workers will examine other health and safety issues, such as earthquake preparedness and hazardous materials storage. County inspectors will also join the effort, checking to see whether cafeteria food is being handled properly.

The first phase of the plan, the ride-along inspections that will be similar to Wednesday's tour, is expected to begin within a week or so.

``They're going to inspect the way we do our business,'' Romer said. ``They're going to monitor with us ... and we're going to keep them informed periodically about what these results are.''

But the city will also conduct some surprise, independent inspections. Matt Szabo, a spokesman for the city attorney, said while the number hasn't been determined, it will be enough to make an accurate assessment.

``This is going to be more of an analysis, but there will be recommendations,'' Szabo said. ``They're not just going to sweep anything under the carpet.''

Delgadillo said the well-being of the children is the only driving force behind the city's inspection push.

``This effort is a great example of the city and school district working together for one common purpose: Making life better for our children,'' he said. ``It's never been about who is right. It's been about what is right.''

Jennifer Radcliffe, [phone]

jennifer.radcliffe(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

Superintendent Roy Romer, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and environmental safety officer Pauline Garzon examine a restroom at Mayberry Street Elementary School.

Evan Yee/Staff Photographer