A move to bring veteran educator Ramon C. Cortines into a top Los Angeles school district leadership position could offer short-term political relief for an embattled superintendent. And backers say his appointment also might improve the city's schools.
Facing mounting internal and external pressure, Los Angeles schools Supt. David L. Brewer discussed a possible job offer Thursday with Cortines. He currently serves as top education advisor to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and formerly headed the school systems in New York City and, briefly, Los Angeles.
If an agreement could be reached, the well-regarded Cortines, 75, probably would join the Los Angeles Unified School District in the long-vacant post of deputy superintendent. He would report directly to Brewer, a retired Navy vice admiral who became the schools chief 17 months ago with no prior public school executive experience.
Brewer has yet to fill several key positions -- which has caused critics to question whether he can turn around the troubled school system.
Cortines met with Brewer in the superintendent's office Thursday, a follow-up to earlier conversations. Brewer called Cortines a friend and valued advisor, but said he has made no decision about offering him a job, even though some people inside and outside the district are pushing him to clinch a deal.
Hiring Cortines could help Brewer allay the worries of some members of the elected school board.
"I'm incredibly concerned that Brewer doesn't have a No. 2 a year into the job," board member Tamar Galatzan said. "He needs to act swiftly."
Cortines also casts a long shadow, and some observers see his possible arrival as ominous for Brewer's longevity. Others have questioned whether Cortines would be coming in as a sort of Trojan horse for the mayor. Still, civic leaders said the hiring of Cortines would bolster Brewer.
"This would be a major step forward," said former Mayor Richard Riordan. The push for Cortines, he added, did not emanate from Villaraigosa, who has relied on Cortines to spearhead reforms at a group of schools that will partner with the mayor's office.
"This is not about Mayor Villaraigosa taking over the school district," Riordan said. "There are a number of reformists, including myself, who are desperately urging Brewer and the school board to go along with the hiring of Ray Cortines."
