Reforming LAUSD

Los Angeles Unified officials received 84 applications from charter operators, non-profit groups and teacher collectives for the district's bold reform plan that opens the doors for outside entities to take over public schools, officials announced Tuesday.Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

Officials said they received applications until just minutes before the 11:59 p.m. deadline Monday. The school board is expected to decide winners in February and daily operations will be turned over by fall of 2010.

The number of final applications is far fewer than the 220 initial bids submitted by outside groups two months ago under LAUSD's School Choice plan. The plan, approved by the Board of Education this August, will give control of over 36 new and underperforming schools to the applicants that present the most appropriate plan for the school as judged by the school board.