LAUSD wins praise for pushing off early start

Teachers union leaders and some San Fernando Valley parents claimed victory Wednesday as LAUSD formally announced they were delaying the launch of the controversial "early start" calendar until 2012. Connie Llanos in the Daily News.

Superintendent Ramon Cortines said that uncertainty about the state's budget crisis, and its potential impact on Los Angeles Unified, had prompted his decision to start the upcoming fall semester in September, rather than on Aug. 15 as previously planned.

"The economic uncertainty in California continues to pose serious challenges to our district," Cortines said. "Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed tax election in June could result in deferred state and LAUSD budget decisions, which would have a significant impact on the preparation for the upcoming academic year and starting school early."