The children's section of the Central Library downtown provided the setting for Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign the bill shifting some control of Los Angeles schools to Mayor Villaraigosa. "Today we are proclaiming a victory for the students of LAUSD and their parents," Schwarzenegger said in his statement. "I want to congratulate Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for having the vision and fortitude to put our children first with this effort to increase accountability in LA public schools." Board of Education president Marlene Canter, who was not invited to the ceremony, told LA Observed this morning that the board intends to go ahead with plans to litigate the constitutionality of the bill. The board is also moving ahead with plans to hire a new superintendent to replace the departing Roy Romer before AB 1381 taking effect on Jan. 1. She and Romer were conciliatory, however, in a statement reported on the Daily News website. "Although I have strongly opposed this legislation, I look forward to moving beyond this discussion and working together with the mayor to continue improving our school communities."

Previously on LA Observed:
AB 1381 passes
Instant analysis

Photo: John McCoy/Daily News