BREWER SEEKS TIME TO CRAFT REFORM.

Byline: NAUSH BOGHOSSIAN Staff Writer

Incoming Superintendent David Brewer III said Thursday he plans sweeping reforms at Los Angeles Unified but needs six months to gauge the scope of the problems plaguing the nation's second-largest school district.

During a meeting with Daily News editors and reporters, Brewer said he wants to get an accurate assessment of the numbers of dropouts, foster-care kids and homeless students in the district, and he wants to know how much money is being spent on programs and personnel.

And, he said, he believes he needs to contract with outside sources to get the information he wants quickly and efficiently.

``Culturally, we won't be able to do it. I won't get the data until five years from now. I don't have that kind of time,'' said Brewer, who was appointed Oct. 12 to head the 727,000- student district. ``I'm a fast guy. I've got to have the data within six months to put together the plan to execute.

``I'm not going to be the most popular guy in L.A. long. I guarantee you that.''

Brewer also said that over the next six months, he plans to recruit talent from outside the traditional education system. He also plans to analyze the district's bureaucracy to ensure it is running as smoothly as possible.

And once he has the facts in hand, he said, he wants to reach out to law-enforcement and social-service agencies to help solve district problems.

``Everybody's gotta be at the table,'' Brewer said during the hourlong meeting. ``I'm going to need help from everybody.''

Brewer retired earlier this year after a 36-year career with the Navy. As a rear admiral, he oversaw the Military Sealift Command, responsible for the movement of supplies and ammunition around the world.

With no experience in the classroom, his appointment was a surprise to many -- especially Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who had been locked out of the selection process by the LAUSD board.

But after the two met Wednesday, each expressed confidence they would be able to work together to improve student achievement.

A spokeswoman for Villaraigosa said Thursday the mayor endorsed Brewer's plans for his initial months.

``An independent and transparent audit of the Los Angeles School District is exactly what we need,'' mayoral spokeswoman Janelle Erickson said.

In a phone interview, City Councilman Jose Huizar said Brewer is undertaking the types of plans he'd hoped retiring Superintendent Roy Romer would have tackled.

``I applaud him for seeking an independent, honest, thorough review of the bureaucracy,'' said Huizar, who formerly served on the school board. ``Romer did a very good job of not uncovering some of the bureaucratic worms.''

``And he's looking at the whole child, the type of student population we're serving, whereas Romer didn't believe in a school district doing more than the basics.''

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New Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent David Brewer III said he plans sweeping changes but needs six months to evaluate the problems facing the distict.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer