School District Hearing on Breakup Draws Few Speakers

The first public hearing on the Los Angeles Unified School District’s policy toward a move to break up the district drew only four speakers on Monday night.

School board members marveled at the low turnout, with member Jeff Horton suggesting that perhaps dismantlement of the 670-school district is “not the burning issue that we thought it was.”

But those pushing for dividing the giant system had other theories.

A representative of the San Fernando Valley’s 31st District PTA, who came to testify that the group is having difficulty getting information out of the district to complete its own breakup study, speculated that others may have stayed away because “they’ve already made up their minds.”

Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills), who sponsored state legislation making it easier for communities to secede from the district, was among those who did not attend what she had characterized as “a silly hearing.”

“Nobody gives a hoot what they have to say,” Boland said of the district, which had limited veto authority over breakup actions until this summer, when her legislation stripped the board of that power. Since then, many groups--including four in the San Fernando Valley--have begun to consider or to work toward a breakup.

Board members have opted to remain collectively neutral on the proposed breakup until specific plans are presented.

District staff workers--in a reorganization policy released on Oct. 2--have recommended renewed emphasis on the district’s LEARN reform efforts and opposition to secession proposals that do not further that and other programs.

The district has also promised to supply any requested information to those considering what stand to take on the proposed breakup. When Bobbi Farrell, chairwoman of the 31st District PTA, complained that this had not been the case, board members expressed annoyance.

School Supt. Sid Thompson apologized, explaining that the district had been “deluged” with breakup questions. However, the administrator in charge of disseminating such information said his department had received fewer than 10 requests.

“Maybe the calls are going to other departments,” said Assistant Supt. Gordon Wohlers.

The board Monday may have signaled its future opposition to breakup moves by denying, during a closed session, an alternative to secession proposed by the South Bay community of Eastview.

Three years ago the neighborhood won state and voter approval to join with adjacent Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District--only to have the decision overturned in a court battle with the Los Angeles Unified district. On Monday, the school board turned down a more modest bid to offer Eastview parents a choice between the two districts.