Who has the answers to L.A.’s school problems?

Re “Council OKs Mayor’s Idea for Schools,” Aug. 12

It seems that Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar is politically astute but a tad self-serving. It is interesting that the former Los Angeles Unified School District board member and president is supporting the mayor’s faulty, half-baked plan. This in light of Huizar’s record of running the school board in a status-quo, business-as-usual manner.

If Huizar thinks the school board can be better run under a new plan, why didn’t he initiate some leadership in that regard when he had the chance as a board president? Perhaps Huizar has his sights on the mayor’s office once Antonio Villaraigosa assumes the governorship.

STEVE SIRY

Los Angeles

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Re “One school’s success story,” four-part editorial series, Aug. 10

I am disappointed that The Times continues to advocate for Los Angeles mayoral control over a district that includes 26 other cities while making no reference or suggestion on how the voting rights of residents in those other cities will be protected, or how their elected leaders will be held responsible and accountable in the same manner as the mayor of Los Angeles.

Although The Times has previously acknowledged this issue and the complications of the existing multicity school district, it references Boston as a model of success where the borders of the city and the school district are the same. The discussion about reform cannot continue to ignore the fact that the residents of 26 independent cities, while a minority in the district, have rights too and are equally entitled to a place at the table.

JEFFREY PRANG

Councilman

West Hollywood

Prang is also president of the California Contract Cities Assn., which represents more than 50 cities in Los Angeles County.

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The Times doesn’t understand that solutions do not come from politicians. Solutions come from parents, teachers and administrators. The Richard J. Murphy School in Boston is a success because of its fearless principal, not the city’s mayor. It is a success because she genuinely listens to parents. It is a success because the teachers embraced her, not the mayor’s, ideas for change.

Solutions to problems that plague schools are found locally. They don’t come from Washington, Sacramento or city hall.

DAVID MUSKRATH

Valencia