New L.A. School Superintendent

The school board’s action to name Leonard Britton as superintendent of the huge Los Angeles Unified School District has been judged to be most historic by Latinos. Frank del Olmo expressed concerns we all should share, but I would like to underscore some vital points for us to ponder for the long run.

As a former member of the board for 12 years (1967-79), I am more than commonly acquainted with the internal forces at play in educational politics in the school district and how this relates to the general community. The interests of the general community need emphasis for fear that Latino dissatisfaction appears to be merely ethnic politics.

The action by a board majority in executive session was papered over by a misleading show of unanimity before the public. Among Latinos we find the clear impression that a majority of the board want to deny the position of superintendent to a qualified Latino for fear that the growing number of Latinos would be translated into power that might upset some established political interests.

The selection of an “outsider” over equally qualified district staff was a blow to morale, which is already very low. Why should our best administrative staff work hard--at modest pay--for 30 years or more in hope of a shot at the top job? The board majority has just hurt staff more than long hours, low pay, overwork and increasing public demands could possibly do.

Three new members join the board on July 1, and they were denied any voice in the selection they must live with. How can a stranger to the district energize staff under these conditions, and display the clout with Sacramento and political groups that is necessary quickly?

Let’s not overlook the ethnic question. Overwhelmingly, Latinos have supported the appointment and election of blacks, Jews, Asians and others because they believed this coalition was good for society. The sky has not fallen in Los Angeles, for one, because we have had a black mayor. He has been a good mayor, and he came within one percentage point of becoming governor of California. Why should not a qualified Latino get support from other ethnic and racial groups for the superintendency?

I am among those who still believe we must bring our diverse ethnic and racial groups closer together through more understanding and fairness. The school board has just dealt a cruel blow to this conviction. Influential Latinos have asked me why we should cooperate with groups like Jewish Americans or black Americans when our firneds shunt us aside on a decision like this. Of course, the answer is that Latinos must stand for higher principles than those displayed by the school board majority.

JULIAN NAVA

Los Angeles