New Year May Echo the Thunder of the Old : Outlook: Quake recovery, school district secession, angry voters will continue to capture the spotlight in the Valley.

The new year ahead will be one of echoes, a time when the shouts of two thunderous events from 1994 will continue to reverberate throughout the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas.

Many remain haunted by the roar of Mother Nature last January, when the Northridge earthquake wreaked widespread devastation over hundreds of square miles in a few pre-dawn seconds.

From North Hills to Newhall, Tarzana to Tujunga, residents are still plotting the struggle to rebuild the places in which they live, learn and worship.

The Los Angeles Unified School District expects repairs of quake-damaged campuses to continue throughout the year and beyond. Cal State Northridge, conducting its business out of makeshift quarters and portable classrooms, also has miles to go on the road to recovery. And congregants at several churches and temples remain busy with restorations and renovations begun months ago.

Many say they see a glimmer of hope for recovery in 1995 as they pick up the final pieces strewn about by the geological fury of Jan. 17.

Others may continue to find the echoes of 1994 more unsettling, particularly in the political arena, which witnessed its own version of an earthquake in November. Dissatisfied voters shook up the political landscape and put leaders on notice that they would not hesitate to exercise their power at the ballot box.

Their anger has spilled over into the new year.

Incensed by school board President Mark Slavkin’s challenge to Proposition 187, supporters of the measure aimed at illegal immigration hope to oust him this spring in a recall election.

In the high desert, residents have also launched a campaign to kick out of office three of five Lancaster City Council members over the matter of an administrative contract.

And San Fernando Valley voters will help decide whether to establish a husband-wife dynasty on the City Council.

Despite the ripple effect of the past, residents will certainly have the chance in 1995 to cast an eye to the future, both near and far. Even as some of them deal with the immediate concern of rebuilding their homes, they can help guide growth and development in Los Angeles over the next 20 years by contributing to the new General Plan.

And commuters, take heart: Some car-pool lanes on area freeways are due to be completed, and workers hope to break ground in Universal City for a new Metro Red Line station, which will bring the subway age to the Valley by the turn of the century.

What follows is a look ahead at some key topics:

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

In the Los Angeles Unified School District, 1995 will mirror the past. The Board of Education and district officials face continuing pressure to repair earthquake-damaged campuses, combat efforts to break up the system and restore employee salaries cut two years ago.

The district also plans to expand reform efforts aimed at shifting power to local schools and to continue efforts in court to block provisions of Proposition 187 from taking effect.

The school board’s legal challenge to Proposition 187 has sparked the recall drive against Slavkin, who represents the West Valley. Supporters of the initiative say Slavkin used public funds to subvert the will of the voters, who overwhelmingly approved it in November.

In the April elections, political battles are in store also for incumbent Jeff Horton, who represents sections of Van Nuys and North Hollywood, and the candidates who will vie for the seat being vacated by board member Leticia Quezada, whose district includes parts of the northeast Valley.

Beyond the fight for survival of individual board members, the giant school system faces renewed calls for its own demise. State Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills) and state Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles) both say the timing is right this year for legislation that would make it easier for communities to break away from the district.

At the same time, the district faces internal battles in the form of a new round of labor negotiations. Teachers’ salaries and the pay of other employees were cut 10% two years ago. The board pledged to restore at least 4% in the new year and likely will face pressure for more.

In addition, the district must continue to seek funding to repair its quake-damaged classrooms, gymnasiums and auditoriums. Repair work, which is taking longer than officials anticipated, will continue during the next 18 months.

“It seems like a huge plate of issues,” Slavkin said of the array of challenges confronting the district. “We just need to keep the schools moving forward.”