Judge Invalidates Pact on Learning Center

In a ruling issued Monday, a Superior Court judge invalidated the Los Angeles Board of Education’s approval of a development agreement to build the Belmont Learning Center high school near downtown.

If the district intends to use bond proceeds from the recently passed Proposition BB, Judge Diane Wayne said it could not enter into or execute an agreement with developer Kajima International to build the $87-million campus until the bond oversight committee has thoroughly reviewed that agreement.

That agreement was approved by the school board two weeks ago. At the time of the board vote, the district had agreed to allow the blue-ribbon oversight committee to evaluate the project, but that review was to be limited to an analysis of financing options, including bond monies.

Board members had not decided Monday whether to appeal the ruling.