National School Boards Association

For the first time in 20 years, a Californian took the helm of the National School Boards Assn. on Monday as one of public education's most influential interest groups met here to debate such volatile issues as charter schools and national achievement standards. The new president, William B. Ingram of Riverside County, called on school trustees to seize the initiative at a time when would-be education reformers abound in state capitals and Washington.

A national education group voiced strong opposition Friday to the idea of a mayor taking over a school district -- something Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has vowed to do. The 145-member assembly of the National School Boards Assn. unanimously passed a resolution calling on mayors to focus on non-education issues that affect students -- such as housing and healthcare -- instead of fighting for control of schools. "There is important work for [mayors] to do.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher touched off debate on a sensitive subject at the National School Boards Assn. convention on Sunday when she endorsed her nation's practice of including religion in the public school curriculum. Thatcher received rousing applause from the audience at the convention when she explained how religion is woven into the daily instruction at all public schools.

For the first time in 20 years, a Californian took the helm of the National School Boards Assn. on Monday as one of public education's most influential interest groups met here to debate such volatile issues as charter schools and national achievement standards. The new president, William B. Ingram of Riverside County, called on school trustees to seize the initiative at a time when would-be education reformers abound in state capitals and Washington.

A national education group voiced strong opposition Friday to the idea of a mayor taking over a school district -- something Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has vowed to do. The 145-member assembly of the National School Boards Assn. unanimously passed a resolution calling on mayors to focus on non-education issues that affect students -- such as housing and healthcare -- instead of fighting for control of schools. "There is important work for [mayors] to do.

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher touched off debate on a sensitive subject at the National School Boards Assn. convention on Sunday when she endorsed her nation's practice of including religion in the public school curriculum. Thatcher received rousing applause from the audience at the convention when she explained how religion is woven into the daily instruction at all public schools.