COMMISSION: LET VOTERS DECIDE ON GOVERNANCE.

Byline: KERRY CAVANAUGH Staff Writer

A day after Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa cut a compromise deal that would give him some power over Los Angeles schools, a prestigious education commission said Thursday that any change in school district governance should first go to voters.

The recommendation by the Presidents' Joint Commission on Los Angeles Unified School District Governance conflicts with the mayor's plan -- a fast-track reform that would only need approval of the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has pledged to back it.

But members of the commission bristled at the fast pace sought by Villaraigosa and the fact that the mayor's plan will likely not face voter scrutiny.

``The mayor and the commission will disagree on some things, but it's important to put it to the vote of the people. We go to war to fight for democracy but the people of Los Angeles won't have the opportunity to vote on this important decision,'' said Jose Cornejo, a commissioner and chief of staff to Councilman Tony Cardenas.

While the mayor was able to successfully negotiate a deal in Sacramento this week, the commission's decision reflects the unease among some education, political and community leaders in Los Angeles over the plan.

On Wednesday, Villaraigosa announced a deal with teachers unions to pursue legislation that would weaken the school board and give him and other mayors veto power over the superintendent.

The mayor would also have direct authority over 36 of the lowest-performing schools.

The advisory commission was created in April 2005 by Jose Huizar and Alex Padilla, who at the time were presidents of the school board and City Council, respectively. They now serve on the council together.

The 30 members were appointed by the City Council and the school board to recommend whether the 727,000-student district should be subdivided, placed under the authority of the mayor or have full-time board members.

Their recommendations are nonbinding.

The joint commission has spent the last year studying the district and developing a road map for reform. Their recommendations, which will include how much control the mayor should have over the district, are due by June 30.

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

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