The School District Breakup Game

The approval of legislation easing the process of carving up the Los Angeles Unified School District had longtime activists cheering, especially in the San Fernando Valley. The bill by Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills), which goes into effect Jan. 1, significantly reduces the number of signatures needed to qualify a breakup proposal to be put before voters. But the new law does not eliminate most of the established administrative steps, through county and state agencies, that must be taken to reconfigure the school system. Plans can be proposed directly by the L.A. Unified Board of Education or the County Committee on School District Organization. Voters themselves have two options for proposing a breakup plan.

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Voter Options:

1. 5% Petition: Signatures of 5% of all registered voters in the school district are necessary.

2. 8% Petition: Signatures of 8% of those in the area affected by the reorganization plan who voted during the most recent gubernatorial election are required.

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1. Start

County superintendent, with registrar- recorder, decides on validity of petition.

Public hearing called and description of petition posted.

Public hearing held. Hearing is held immediately.

County committee makes a decision: No, Stop.

County committee makes a decision: Yes.

County committee schedules public hearings. A public hearing must be held within 60 days.

Public hearings held.

County committe reviews breakup plan. State law prohibits any plan that promotes segregation, disrupts education or costs state taxpayers more money. Also, legislation by Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) guarantees that any plan maintains equal funding for schools and maintains racial balance in enrollment.

County committee recommends to approve or disapprove. County committee must arrive at a decision within 120 days.

County committee’s decision and report sent to state board.

State board schedules public hearings.

Public hearings held.

State board makes a decision: No, Stop.

State board makes a decision: Yes

State board determines who gets to vote

Election called

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2. Start

County superintendent, with registrar- recorder, decides on validity of petition: Yes.

County superintendent sends petition to county committee and state board.

County committee schedules public hearings. A public hearing must be held within 60 days.

Public hearings held.

County committe reviews breakup plan. State law prohibits any plan that promotes segregation, disrupts education or costs state taxpayers more money. Also, legislation by Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Santa Monica) guarantees that any plan maintains equal funding for schools and maintains racial balance in enrollment.

County committee recommends to approve or disapprove. County committee must arrive at a decision within 120 days.

County committee’s decision and report sent to state board.

State board schedules public hearings.

Public hearings held.

State board makes a decision: No, Stop

State board makes a decision: Yes.

State board determines who gets to vote.

Election called.

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Who They Are

The Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization: An 11- member committee elected by designated school board representatives throughout Los Angeles County.

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State Board of Education: An 11- member board made up of appointees of the governor. Sources: Los Angeles County Office of Education; Researched by HENRY CHU / Los Angeles Times