Roy Romer: The mayor's bad deal.

WHEN MAYOR Antonio Villaraigosa announced his plan to take over the Los Angeles Unified School District, I reserved judgment. Many people wanted me to speak out against this idea, but I resisted. Although I was disturbed by the mayor's factually inaccurate rhetoric, I listened carefully to see if any ideas emerged that would deepen and quicken the instructional reforms the district has implemented over the last six years. But last week, after waiting more than a year to see the details of the mayor's plans, I was sorely disappointed.

By Roy Romer

June 25, 2006