LAUSD cuts down on committees
By Connie Llanos/Los Angeles Daily News
A divided Los Angeles Unified school board voted Tuesday to eliminate all special committees and limit public comment, but critics said the cost-cutting move comes at the expense of free and open debate at a time of huge change in the district. The 5-2 decision will save money by reducing materials and staff time associated with committees that handle issues ranging from curriculum and maintenance to school safety and charter schools. "We are in a crisis," said School Board President Monica Garcia, who proposed the plan. "And with this budget we are not only challenged to do less ... we must do things differently." The plan limits the number of speakers at a board meeting to seven on an item the board is voting on. Also under the new plan, up to 15 people can address the board during public discussion of general issues. (more...)