LAUSD'S BREWER ENLISTS COMMUNITY HELP IN VALLEY VISIT.

Byline: NAUSH BOGHOSSIAN Staff Writer

NORTH HOLLYWOOD -- Bringing his victory tour to the San Fernando Valley, newly appointed LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer III said Tuesday that he plans to turn to business and community groups to help fund education programs not covered by taxpayer dollars.

The Beverly Garland Holiday Inn was Brewer's final stop in his whirlwind two-day tour, where he introduced himself to civic and educational leaders citywide.

He now returns to his home in Washington, D.C., where he'll finalize plans for a move to the West Coast. Once he begins his job in earnest -- probably by mid-November -- Brewer said, he looks forward to visiting classrooms.

``I need to get down to the business of educating children,'' said Brewer, 60, a former Navy admiral who retired earlier this year after a 36-year military career.

``I want to look at instruction and curriculum and factors outside of the classroom ... like ignorance, poverty and crime. We have dropouts and 65,000 foster-care kids -- we need to go after these issues.''

Brewer was named late Thursday to succeed Superintendent Roy Romer, who plans to retire this fall from the 727,000-student district. Terms of Brewer's contract have not yet been finalized, although school board members have said they expect it to be a multiyear agreement.

Life experiences

As he introduced himself to local business and community leaders, Brewer also related experiences from his own life in explaining how he plans to approach his new job as head of Los Angeles Unified.

Brewer said his wife, a teacher in Virginia, turned to her school's PTA foundation when she needed money to bind books written by her seventh- and eighth-graders.

``We're going to find ways for you to give money,'' Brewer said. ``The choices are simple -- we can educate or we can incarcerate.

``Help us, help LAUSD create a world-class education system so our children can indeed be the best in the world. We need resources to fund programs. I say, think big, start small, scale fast.''

He also talked about the importance of involving parents in their children's education, and suggested enlisting mentors to help parents -- particularly immigrants -- navigate the intricacies of the nation's second-largest school district.

Brewer's answers, delivered with authority and wit, seemed to charm the small audience, which sent the retired admiral off with a standing ovation.

Brendan Huffman, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, said Brewer exuded confidence, strong management skills and a desire to be inclusive.

``I was particularly impressed with his desire to enlist parents to be involved with their children's schools and enlisting the private sector to give schools an assist,'' said Huffman, whose group advocates dismantling the district.

``VICA still thinks smaller school districts are better, but that could take a few years.

``In the meantime, we're committed to working with the new superintendent and the mayor to improve schools in the Valley.''

Brewer said he was looking forward to moving away from the cameras and attention to visiting classrooms when he returns to Los Angeles.

``I need to get down to the business of educating children,'' he said.

``I want to look at instruction and curriculum and factors outside of the classroom ... like ignorance, poverty and crime. We have dropouts and 65,000 foster-care kids -- we need to go after these issues.''

Antonio meeting

But Brewer's first order of business will be an Oct. 25 meeting with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

While he refused to comment on the new law that gives Villaraigosa significant power over the school district beginning Jan. 1, Brewer repeated earlier comments that he intends to work collaboratively with the mayors of Los Angeles and all the cities served by Los Angeles Unified.

``We're going to make this work,'' Brewer said. ``We're not looking for a fight with the mayor. This is a daunting challenge. He's going to find out I'm going to be his partner and his friend. We're going to get it done.''

Greuel impressed

City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel -- a Villaraigosa ally who has criticized the school board for filing a legal challenge to the law and for selecting a superintendent without the mayor's input -- spent a second day with Brewer and came away with a good feeling about his experience and knowledge.

``I am very impressed with his commitment and passion about education, his willingness to learn about things he doesn't know and he comes with a breadth of experience and knowledge and he's willing to work with the mayor,'' Greuel said. ``He's representing the kids and that's something the school board and mayor will support.''

Brewer spent Monday meeting with leaders in South and East Los Angeles. The second African-American to head Los Angeles Unified, Brewer has no prior experience in K-12 education, but has experience managing some 8,000 employees and comes from a family of educators.

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) City Councilman Tom LaBonge, left, gives newly appointed LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer III a loaf of bread made by nuns in his district as a welcoming gift during Brewer's visit to North Hollywood.

(2 -- color) David Brewer III, new Los Angeles Unified School District superintendent, speaks to business and community leaders Tuesday on the need to help fund education programs.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer