SCHOOL REFORMERS RALLIED MAYOR TELLS NEW ADVISERS HE WANTS BIG IDEAS TO PREACH FROM BULLY PULPIT.Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer Meeting for the first time with his new Council of Education Advisers, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Antonio Ramon Villaraigosa (born Antonio (Tony) Ramon Villar, Jr. on January 23, 1953) is the mayor of Los Angeles, California. He is the first Latino mayor of Los Angeles since Cristobal Aguilar in 1872. directed members Friday to ``think big'' as they work to improve Los Angeles' public schools. The 30 business, civic and education leaders have been tapped to find ways to improve campus safety, enhance after-school programs and curb the drop-out rate through innovative partnerships between city government and the Los Angeles Unified School District The Los Angeles Unified School District (the "LAUSD") is the largest (in terms of number of students) public school system in California and the second-largest in the United States. Only the New York City Department of Education has a larger student population. . ``I've got a bully pulpit bully pulpit n. An advantageous position, as for making one's views known or rallying support: "The presidency had been transformed from a bully pulpit on Pennsylvania Avenue to a stage the size of the world" and intend to use it,'' said Villaraigosa, who has made education reform one of his top priorities. ``There are a lot of people who believe, as I do, that schools are in crisis and we need to do a much better job to work together in partnership.'' The advisers include Yvonne Chan, principal at the Vaughn Next Century Learning Center; former LAUSD LAUSD Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles, CA) Superintendent Ramon Cortines; Judy Burton, executive director of the Alliance for College Ready Public Schools; and Wells Fargo Wells Fargo armored carriers of bullion. [Am. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 1147] See : Protectiveness Wells Fargo company that handled express service to western states; often robbed. [Am. Hist. executive Les Biller bill·er n. One that bills, as: a. A clerk who prepares bills. b. A machine used in preparing bills. . The group's charge is to recommend ways to improve the quality of schools and student learning by considering issues including student health and creating alliances with foundations, corporations and nonprofit organizations. Other issues to address include racial tensions on campus and a shortage of school counselors - problems that students have expressed to the mayor. The group's next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 26, with the first recommendations expected in early fall. ``We are not after reinventing the wheel. We know we have (LAUSD) programs that work, activities that work. What we don't have is making it systemic, scalable and sustainable,'' said Carolyn Webb de Macias, senior adviser to the mayor. ``I know people want to make this into a battle royal, but the school district welcomes support.'' The council's work has nothing to do with recent political pushes, including a bill proposed by state Sen. Gloria Romero Gloria J. Romero is currently the Democratic majority leader of the California State Senate and the first woman to ever hold this leadership position. Romero grew up in Barstow, and earned her associate's degree from Barstow Community College. She went on to a B.A. to allow the mayor to appoint school board members and the superintendent of the 745,000-student district. ``I think ultimately we need to move toward mayoral control. But we need to build that support by fostering trust and making a case over time, and that's what I hope to do,'' Villaraigosa said. Some said the group could have an immediate, positive effect on public education if, for example, it comes up with recommendations that help Villaraigosa reallocate Verb 1. reallocate - allocate, distribute, or apportion anew; "Congressional seats are reapportioned on the basis of census data" reapportion allocate, apportion - distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose; "I am allocating a loaf of city funds in a partnership with the school district. ``I have high hopes for the process,'' said A.J. Duffy, an adviser on the council and president of United Teachers Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , which will focus on establishing strategic alliances. ``It's going to take awhile. I think this is a bold, courageous move by Villaraigosa.'' Naush Boghossian, (818) 713-3722 naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com |
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