LAUSD LAWYER QUITTING.

Byline: Jennifer Radcliffe  Staff Writer

Just two weeks after reaching a tentative labor agreement with the school district's largest union, officials said Tuesday that Los Angeles Unified School District labor attorney Richard Fisher won't seek to extend his contract when it ends in June.

Fisher's decision was announced in a closed-door school board meeting Tuesday. As chief negotiator, Fisher earned $450 an hour for a minimum of $270,000 a year. His contract ends June 30. He declined comment.

``Dick did a good job for the district and I am very grateful for the time he has given us,'' Superintendent Roy Romer said.

Romer said Fisher may continue to do some work for the district, but not under contract.

When he was hired in January 2003, Fisher was a retired partner with O'Melveny & Myers, a firm with 900 lawyers worldwide. In October, Fisher was selected to be included in the 2005-06 edition of ``The Best Lawyers in America,'' a national referral guide, for his work in labor and employment law.

With a decision needed this month on whether Fisher would be retained, some school board leaders had questioned Fisher's high cost. Because it involves state-mandated labor negotiations, the district can be reimbursed for much of the expense.

``I think there would have been some serious questions asked if it didn't turn out the way it did,'' board member Jon Lauritzen said.

Fisher billed the district $248,000 between July 2004 and February 2005.

United Teachers Los Angeles President John Perez spent 20 months with Fisher negotiating the current tentative contract. Perez said he hopes the change will allow for a better relationship between the teachers union and the district.

Jennifer Radcliffe, [phone]

jennifer.radcliffe(at)dailynews.com