School District Gets Smart

In a popular 1960s television show, the main character, a fool masquerading as a spy, would make an unlikely assertion like this: “Would you believe that the Los Angeles Unified School District is actually going to build 85 schools in six years?” When the predictable “no” answer came, he would counter, “Would you believe three bungalows and a jungle gym?”

Unfortunately, given the LAUSD’s tarnished reputation for delivering what it promises, skepticism is the natural first reaction to last week’s seemingly good news: 85 new elementary, middle and high schools could be completed within six years throughout the district. But we want to believe.

After the $170-million nightmare of the botched and unfinished Belmont Learning Complex, taxpayers certainly want to hear good news. Faith in the district’s ability to site and build schools was deeply damaged after the high school’s construction was shut down nearly two years ago because of problems not properly addressed by inadequate environmental tests before the land was purchased.

Belmont, though stalled by public health concerns, is no longer dead. School Supt. Roy Romer said he has “three strong bids from the private sector” that propose to make the high school safe for students at a reasonable cost and without break-the-bank liability in the future. If Romer can secure assurances that protect the students and the district--no small task--then the school should be built. Without such assurances, the site should be sold. In another potentially significant development, another old, wasted LAUSD opportunity looks revived. The Ambassador Hotel, internationally known as the place where Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1968, has long been sought by the district, but New York dealmeister Donald Trump wanted to build a skyscraper on the nearly 24 acres. He ultimately lost, but the fight continued with new owners. Last week the LAUSD won at the price of $76.5 million, much of it already paid; there are no known significant environmental problems. We want to believe.

The Los Angeles Conservancy believes that a school, earthquake-safe and cheaper than new construction, can be built within the Ambassador buildings. It will soon present its plans to school board President Caprice Young, who led the fight to acquire the site. Young would like to see an accelerated school for kindergarten through senior high with a specialty such as dual-immersion language classes, an interesting concept.

New schools--especially in densely populated areas such as mid-Wilshire, site of the Ambassador--usually mean lost homes. Another big benefit of the Ambassador site: Few families would be displaced. State law requires compensation, including rental assistance for as long as 42 months for poor tenants. The school district, in partnership with the Los Angeles Housing Authority, will provide additional assistance, including housing vouchers and counseling for the 1,000 families to be displaced for other schools.

All told, it’s been a promising week for the Los Angeles Unified School District. But there’s a lot of history to overcome. It’s up to Romer and the school board to make weary taxpayers believe again in the people who run the public schools.