LAUSD 'bloat' criticized

Parents, teacher union representatives and school board members on Monday either blasted or questioned the growth of the Los Angeles Unified School District's massive bureaucracy in recent years as they responded to a Daily News analysis of the district's staffing and salary structure. George B. Sanchez in the Daily News.

The Daily News found that the LAUSD's bureaucracy ballooned nearly 20 percent from 2001 to 2007. During that same period, 500 teaching positions were cut and enrollment dropped by 6 percent.

"I think the teachers on the front line should be making a lot more money," said parent Raul Morales, who was attending a district-sponsored meeting for parents in North Hollywood on Monday. "Those who run the education system are overpaid for the little that they do."

While L.A. Unified Superintendent David Brewer III said the district bureaucracy is not bloated, he did say it is not as lean as it should be and pledged to tighten the belt, saying: "It'll get leaner."