L.A. Schools Chief Softens Stand on Breakup : Education: Sid Thompson says he will help supporters if they can prove that students will benefit from splitting up the district.

In an abrupt shift toward conciliation after years of opposition, Los Angeles city schools chief Sid Thompson on Wednesday told critics of the system he will not launch a fight against the campaign to dismantle the district.

Instead, Thompson pledged to help breakup supporters so long as they can prove that their plans to carve up the nation’s second-largest school system would result in improved student achievement.

“I am not opposed philosophically to a different order for this school system. I simply ask that it be done for the right reason,” the superintendent said in his first public appearance since Gov. Pete Wilson signed legislation last week easing the way for a voter-approved breakup. “The only way I’ll fight something is if I see that it’s directly against the young people.”

Against a new political backdrop in the 25-year campaign, Thompson promised that his staff will supply the information needed by breakup proponents to craft a plan that complies with legal protections on racial integration and financial equity.

Thompson’s speech before the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley--which supports the breakup movement--apparently reflects a new let-them-come strategy that the Los Angeles Unified School District has adopted to deal with those seeking to split it up.

Los Angeles Board of Education President Mark Slavkin said he spoke with Thompson on Tuesday and supports his position.

“He and I would agree that the cause of helping kids do better and achieve higher levels is not necessarily advanced by diverting time and energy and resources to combat new efforts and schemes to reorganize the district,” Slavkin said.

Slavkin asserted that the district has no plans to file a lawsuit to block the bill signed by the governor last week.

He added: “We will provide information and not be hostile or combative in that sense. But our effort is through the LEARN plan to put power at local schools and make a difference to the kids and I continue to believe that the breakup time and energy is a diversion.”

Some observers say the new strategy is an attempt to use the breakup drive’s energy against itself, in hopes the movement will collapse under the weight of information demonstrating the infeasibility of divvying up the 640,000-student system.

Indeed, not everyone who heard Thompson speak Wednesday was convinced that his new policy of sharing vital district data will actually come to pass.

“I’m a little bit suspicious,” said United Chambers board member Robert L. Scott. “Their record has been less than helpful.”

Another United Chambers board member asked bluntly whether the Los Angeles Board of Education and its teachers union were collaborating on a breakup plan of its own, to preempt proposals from outsiders.

“No, we are not working on any plan to break up this system,” Thompson responded, adding that he would not actively work with any groups in drawing up a breakup blueprint.

Nonetheless, he cited an evolution of attitude inside the district. Where there was outrage over breakup suggestions a decade ago, Thompson contended that today there is greater openness to ideas of a new district configuration.

But, showing that the district will not surrender its authority easily, Thompson repeatedly hammered at a theme common in rhetoric against the breakup effort.

“I’m not sure [size] is the issue. The issue is delivery,” he said.

Later, in an interview, Thompson said, “I think you should be starting with specific things that L.A. Unified doesn’t do for kids . . . then present a plan that shows how it can be done better.”

Gerald Curry, president of the United Chambers, said a breakup would raise student achievement by giving disenfranchised parents greater control over hiring and curriculum.

“The kids will benefit in the long run, because you’ll have parents who are more involved in the schools,” Curry said.

Times staff writer Beth Shuster contributed to this story.