RIORDAN SAYS HIS FUTURE'S WITH LAUSD.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS - With his term coming to an end next July, Mayor Richard Riordan said Friday he will be looking to take on a new job - with the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Riordan made the disclosure following a speech to the Valley Industry and Commerce Association business industry conference when he was asked what he will be doing after his term expires.

``I've been talking with the school district about a position there,'' Riordan told the crowd of some 500 business leaders. ``(Superintendent) Roy Romer and I have had some talks and I'm very positive about it.''

Later, in an interview, Riordan said he was looking at heading up a program to instruct teachers on how to better use computers in the classroom.

``They don't really have anyone there now who does that type of thing and one of the biggest wastes is having computers that people don't know how to use properly,'' Riordan said.

``While nothing firm has been set, I think we'll be able to work something out,'' the mayor said, adding jokingly that he would want to see his salary doubled to $2 a year.

Riordan accepts only $1 per year of his pay as mayor of the nation's second-largest city.

Romer confirmed the conversations and said he has encouraged Riordan to take on the job.

``This is a very intelligent man who has a big heart and is concerned about these issues,'' Romer said. ``I want him to take on this job and hope he will.''

Riordan long has been involved in educational matters - in the classroom and politically.

On the political side, he helped create the Los Angeles Educational Alliance for Restructuring Now reform movement and elect a reform-minded majority to the LAUSD Board of Education.

He also has brought pressure on the board to undertake a variety of reforms and was said to have played a major role in the selection of Romer.

Through his private Riordan Foundation, he also has provided computers to some 200,000 classrooms across the country, complete with an instruction program for teachers and students.

The need to change the Los Angeles education system was one of the themes of the mayor's speech to VICA in what will be his last ``State of the Valley'' address.

``We need a revolution to change the way it operates,'' Riordan said. ``Failure is not an option there.''

Riordan said he would not support a breakup of the district into two - with one for the Valley.

``That won't solve the problem,'' Riordan said. ``To be successful, we need much smaller school districts - districts with anywhere from 12 to 50 schools, where a superintendent can be involved with every school on a daily basis.''

And, as he has in the past, Riordan made a strong appeal for the business leaders to work against the secession of the San Fernando Valley from Los Angeles.

``We're family,'' Riordan said. ``Don't desert us. Please, please, please, stay part of the city. Secession is a lousy idea.''