Big Changes at L.A. Schools

As three newly elected members took their posts on the Los Angeles Unified school board Tuesday, pressure mounted to give Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa oversight of a cluster of low-performing schools. Naush Boghossian in the Daily News.

The ceremonies officially swearing in Tamar Galatzan, Yolie Flores Aguilar and Richard Vladovic were upstaged by a media frenzy over Villaraigosa's revelations of a romantic relationship with a television news anchor.

In the school board meeting that followed, Monica Garcia also was elected president in a 6-0 vote.

But the formal ceremonies marked a win for the mayor, who now has majority support on the LAUSD board. Garcia immediately highlighted the challenges faced by the district including low graduation rates and overcrowded schools.

Garcia introduced motions to boost accountability, parent engagement, graduation rates, smaller community schools and help for English learners.

"It's about action, it's about accountability, it's about let's have the plan," Garcia said. "The direction is set."

And despite firm statements Friday from Superintendent David Brewer III that the mayor won't get oversight of a cluster of low-performing schools before September 2008, the new board members