Mayoral school takeovers
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and a board of local mayors will gain control over the Los Angeles United School District in January. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to make his control over city schools permanent. Other cities are considering similar plans. American City & County asked the readers of its weekly e-mail newsletter if mayoral takeover is an effective way to repair ineffective school systems, and, if so, why?
“Mayoral control of a school district does not, by itself, guarantee school district improvement. In my career, I have met mayors that would be excellent, and some that weren’t capable of administering a one-student kindergarten class. Election or appointment of people qualified to administer a school district or school district board is a better way. Strict district policing of school personnel is also necessary for district improvement. The tenure system should either be eliminated or, at most, used as a promotional seniority system instead of a guarantee that mediocre or less-than-mediocre teachers keep their jobs.”
— Jack Johnson, public works supervisor, Priest River, Idaho
“Since they provide the money and make promises about improving the schools (that they can’t fulfill), why not focus the credit/blame on school performance on one office? [Mayoral takeover] may expose the fraud inherent in government schools and their failure to fulfill the mission of providing an educated society.”
— George Frangos, instructor, Baltimore County Community College System, Baltimore, Md.
“It is a Hobson’s choice. The school boards are overwhelmed and in many cases not qualified to evaluate what the school administrators tell them. What needs to happen is competitive choice across the full spectrum of accredited educational institutions and home schooling. After accounting for special education needs, each district will vest each child with an equal amount of funding — the sum of federal, state and local money. The family would choose the school. Money left over would go to the home district to improve their programs.”
— Pete Speer, president, MFCS, Buffalo Grove, Ill.