Performing arts school facing problems

Less than a year before Los Angeles Unified is scheduled to open a flagship performing arts school downtown, the project's cost has ballooned to $230 million and key backers remain worried about a lack of progress they believe has cost the district community support and donations. George B. Sanchez in the Daily News.

The district has yet to finalize a curriculum or hire a principal or any staff - and the school's executive director recently walked away from the job halfway through her contract.

Philanthropist Eli Broad - who was a driving force and financial contributor to the project - is now shopping it around to charter school groups in hopes they can take it out of the district's hands.