An LAUSD consultant bonanza

With Los Angeles Unified facing spending cuts of as much as a half-billion dollars amid a statewide budget crunch, the district is coming under renewed scrutiny for its nearly $175 million in consulting contracts with outside firms covering everything from legal help to improving student achievement.Naush Boghossian in the Daily News.

The LAUSD has dozens of multiyear professional-services consulting deals that total $173 million, according to a document obtained by the Daily News.

While some of the contracts are designed to aid students and teachers in the classroom, others are for administrative and technology services that have prompted a review this week amid calls for greater oversight.

"How do we have so many consultants? Because they cost more than regular district employees," said Senior Deputy Superintendent Ray Cortines, who has requested a report on all district consulting contracts.