Schools takeover to get expedited hearing

The law giving Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa partial authority over Los Angeles schools will get an expedited hearing before the 2nd District Court of Appeal.

The law was to have taken effect Monday, but a Superior Court judge last month ruled it unconstitutional and in violation of the Los Angeles City Charter.

The appeals court action means that the case can be resolved sooner, but it will almost certainly end up in the state Supreme Court. The mayor's office is likely to ask the high court to take the case directly -- and skip the court of appeal.