The Los Angeles Times – Howard Blume
“Los Angeles’ beleaguered school system doesn’t need the aggressive shake-up some critics have called for so much as consistent, steady progress and collaboration, new schools Supt. Michelle King said in a meeting Thursday with The Times. In her first extended interview since taking office this week, King talked more about the “listening” she intends to do in coming weeks than specific decisions she may make, suggesting that she’ll take a cautious, measure-twice, cut-once approach to problems at the Los Angeles Unified School District. “I see the district as having … pockets of success, and I see building on the achievements we have,” she said. “And then I see areas we want to strengthen.” That diplomatic style was clearly part of what won over school board members, who voted 7 to 0 to hire her this week after a five-month, nationwide search. She replaces Ramon C. Cortines, who retired in December.”(more)