Making waves over new school superintendent

Re “Ex-Admiral Is Named New Schools Chief,” Oct. 13

It is precisely because of decisions by the Los Angeles Unified School District board, such as the choice of a Navy admiral with no educational leadership credentials, that parents like me hustle our kids out of the public system as soon as we’re able. The tone and values of any organization are signaled from the top. The choice of David L. Brewer III clearly communicates that the district favors bureaucratic efficiency and regimentation over creating a culture of educational excellence.

I predict that on more school sites than ever before we’ll find principals toeing the line and enforcing an atmosphere of command, control and compliance without the cooperation and collaboration essential to organizational vibrancy and a sense of a genuine learning community. We’ll see fewer and fewer of those small pockets of outstanding classroom teachers, the ones who are usually younger and energetic enough not to have succumbed to the dominant, repressive bureaucracy.

Brewer’s selection at least represents an honest statement by board members about what they hold dear for students in the district. It’s sad that education excellence lost out in the deal.

PAUL VANDEVENTER

Los Angeles