Non-Latino Schools Chief Faces Challenge

Before Patrick Leier even started his job on Nov. 1 as Pomona Unified School District’s superintendent, the Latino community was concerned about him.

More than half the students in the district are Latino, and some Latinos were unhappy that a Latino candidate wasn’t among the finalists for the superintendent’s job. Leier, a former assistant superintendent of business services for the district, won out over a field of four finalists--three whites and one African American--in a race to replace Irv Muskowitz, who quit last summer to take a job in the Denver school system.

Fabian Nunez, a Latino activist, said he was disappointed with the school board’s decision and thought the district didn’t search hard enough for a Latino candidate, but declined to comment on Leier’s performance so far.

“We are going to give (Leier) an opportunity to prove himself,” Nunez said. “But we will be watching closely to see how he deals with Proposition 187, bilingual education and other needs of the Latino community.”

Leier said he has worked with people from all ethnic backgrounds and believes he can do just as good a job as a Latino. He would not say where he stands on Proposition 187, except that it’s an unfortunate situation for schools to be in.

The measure, which was passed in November’s election, denies illegal immigrants access to public education and health services, but has yet to be enforced pending court hearings on its constitutionality.

While Leier said he thinks Proposition 187 will not solve the state’s economic problems, he also said the school district will follow the law if it is implemented.

Gina Castillo, a bilingual teacher at Vejar Elementary, said she was dissatisfied with the choice of superintendent, but hopes Leier will work with the Latino community.

“The past superintendents showed no interest in our concerns,” Castillo said. “We just want someone to listen to us, to make sure that schools are held accountable for maintaining bilingual education programs.”

Leier, a Pomona resident since 1955, immigrated here from Canada and said his biggest challenge will be to find more funding for a district that continues to grow in size and not funds.

Leier said he plans to continue with bilingual education and to assemble a staff sensitive to the cultural needs of Latinos.