The Board of Education was joined by Rep. Diane Watson (a former board member), the League of Women Voters, the California School Boards Association and the PTA in today's lawsuit challenging Mayor Villaraigosa's school district takeover. The plaintiffs contend that the state Constitution does not let the City of Los Angeles oversee schools. "The Los Angeles City Charter, as enacted by the voters, does not contemplate that," LAUSD counsel Kevin Reed said. Villaraigosa spokesman Matt Szabo replied, "This is a frivolous lawsuit and a desperate attempt to preserve the failed status quo."

