Today marks the sixth anniversary of the defeat in Carson of an initiative that would have allowed Carson to break away from Los Angeles Unified, something no area has done since Torrance in 1948. We circled back with the backers of Measure D (which lost 3-to-1) and the teachers union leaders who defeated it.

Here's an excerpt from Paul's story:

Six years ago today Carson voters decided not to take a leap of faith. As unhappy as many were with the Los Angeles Unified School District, residents nevertheless rejected a bid to carve out their own independent school system.

It was an overwhelming victory for the district's teachers union, which spent almost $500,000 to ensure Carson would not be the first city since Torrance in 1948 to defect from the massive LAUSD.

Six years later, much has changed. And little has changed. A reform-minded Los Angeles mayor has put his imprint on the school board and is about to take over some low-performing district schools, though none is in Carson.

A new superintendent has vowed to partner with the mayor to stem the district's high dropout rate, though there is evidence that more Carson kids than ever are not staying in high school.

And the district has embarked on a massive school building program, though no new schools or classroom additions have been built in Carson yet. A new high school is on the boards for 2011.

Perhaps most frustrating, especially to supporters of Measure D in November 2001, the Carson community still has little direct say in school management, curriculum or funding.

Those are among the reasons two groups next fall plan to open charter high schools, which give them more autonomy than traditional schools.