CITY CONTROLLER CHICK OFFERS TO OVERSEE AUDIT OF SCHOOLS.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

With Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pushing the Los Angeles school system for reform, City Controller Laura Chick offered Thursday to oversee a planned audit of the district's administrative operations.

Chick, a Villaraigosa ally who has racked up high-profile successes as a local government watchdog, said she was prompted to make the offer after the district's recently signed contract with teachers included an audit provision and news reports indicated the district is considering hiring a public-relations firm to improve its image.

``The best thing it can do to improve its image is to tell the public the truth about what's going on,'' Chick said. ``And if they want an independent audit, my office is ready to help.''

But Chick's proposal was met with reticence by some school and union officials.

``We have a process in place to pick someone, and we would like to let that go forward,'' said A.J. Duffy, president of United Teachers Los Angeles. ``We don't doubt her sincerity, but we are trying to develop this new working relationship with the district and don't think we need to go outside of what we've agreed to.''

School board President Marlene Canter said she was not sure whether the board's agreement with the union would allow Chick to play a role.

``We have laid out a procedure on how to select the outfit doing the audit and we will discuss her offer further,'' Canter said.

Chick, who said she envisioned the school district hiring her to conduct the audit, estimated it would cost $800,000 and take up to nine months.

Canter said she was not sure the board would agree to such an amount, noting that the agreement with the union calls for a $200,000 study.

Superintendent Roy Romer said he is open to the offer, but that much will depend on a report the board will review Dec. 12 dealing with some of the issues.

``Any future audit should build off this one.''

In her letter to school officials, Chick - a potential candidate for state controller who was re-elected by a wide margin this year to her second and last term as city controller and who has become one of the city's most visible figures - said she brings independence and credibility to any review. Many say her critical audits of city agencies helped lead to the re-election defeat of former Mayor James Hahn.

``If this audit is to be truly effective and credible, it is critical that it be overseen by an outside, independent official with no ties to any of the vested interests in the school district,'' Chick said.

``Certainly, this kind of scrutiny and subsequent transparency for the public is long overdue. However, once a consulting firm is hired by the superintendent, the board and UTLA, that firm ceases to be independent.''

In making the offer, Chick joins the mayor and his call for change in how the school district is governed. Villaraigosa said he welcomed Chick's support and believes it will help give credibility to any review.

``Her proven commitment to transparency and public accountability would help push our school system onto the path of reform,'' he said.