By Connie Llanos, Staff Writer | LA Daily News
Posted: 08/01/2010 08:11:22 PM PDT
LAUSD Deputy Superintendent John Deasy, Tuesday, June 22, 2010. (Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer)
August 2 - Today may be John Deasy's first day as deputy superintendent of Los Angeles Unified, but the fast-talking New England native has already ruffled a few feathers at the nation's second-largest school district.
Some senior staff members were upset by a memo Deasy sent two weeks ago that ordered them to bring organizational charts, project lists and details of their duties and goals when they have their first one-on-one meeting with their new boss.
The grumbling reached Superintendent Ramon Cortines, who sent his new No. 2 - and rumored heir apparent - an e-mail urging him to get acquainted with staff members before handing them a to-do list.
"This district has a history of `killing' outsiders, and they have done this to people who have had the best of intentions," Cortines wrote. "I encourage you to get to know people and listen to their ideas, their concerns, and their aspirations."
The clash illustrates not only the delicate politics at LAUSD, but the no-nonsense management style that has earned Deasy praise and respect.
"He is very smart, very to-the-point and has an absolute speed with his implementation," said Nancy Grasmick, Maryland's schools superintendent, who worked closely with Deasy when he headed the school district in that state's Prince George's County.
A lifelong educator, Deasy started his career as a teacher in Rhode Island and eventually became superintendent of a school district there.
He came west to California, where he spearheaded academic improvements at Santa Monica-Malibu Unified, before taking the job in Prince George's County. There, he is credited with dramatically improving the academic performance of impoverished and minority students.
For the last two years, Deasy was deputy director of education at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, working with districts across the country on issues including teacher effectiveness, hiring, recruitment and incentive pay.
Deasy makes no apologies for his sense of urgency in getting to work in Los Angeles, saying he is driven by a deep commitment to ensuring all students have access to a quality education.
"People will come to trust and understand my style," he said during an interview last week at district headquarters.
"Is there little doubt in places where I've worked that I've moved quicker and with more emphasis on reforms?" he asked. "I don't deny that."
However, Deasy stressed that he plans to work collaboratively with Cortines - who has announced plans to retire in the spring - as well as the school board, students and families of LAUSD.
"I feel incredibly grateful to have this chance to serve the youth of Los Angeles," he said.
Experts caution, however, that navigating Los Angeles Unified's political landscape will be a difficult challenge.
"We want someone with new ideas to keep the reform agenda moving," said Penny Wohlstetter, director of USC's Center on Educational Governance. "But the problem in L.A. ... is you also need someone who can deal with the racial politics and work with all the different political actors."
Deasy will likely find himself struggling with the fallout from the financial crisis that resulted in more than $1.5 billion in budget cuts over the last two years.
In discussing his plans for Deasy's arrival, Cortines stressed that budget issues will be critical for the new deputy superintendent.
"It is going to be very important that he know the functions and personnel of all departments," Cortines said.
"We are facing a major budget issue for the 2011-12 year, and he'll have to understand these offices to make the kinds of continued consolidations and institutional changes and eliminations we'll have to do."
Deasy was brought in at a salary of $275,000 per year - $25,000 more then Cortines - and will take over the office that the current schools chief vacated late last month.
Some critics have questioned the need for two apparent leaders at the helm of LAUSD.
The dual roles also have fueled speculation that Deasy is being groomed to take over the top spot when Cortines, who just turned 78, retires.
However, Deasy said he is concentrating on accomplishing everything he can in his current job.
"For me, it's about the work," he said, a statement that echoes one Cortines frequently makes about his own job.
"I came here because I believe deeply in the mission of this board and Ray Cortines, and in the reform initiatives they have laid out," Deasy said. "I'm here to ensure that mission and vision continues."
His plan, he said, includes a "laser-like" focus on improving the academic performance of minority students, English language learners and special education students.
To do that, Deasy said, the district must ensure that all students have access to safe schools, rigorous courses and the best teachers and principals.
Deasy said the district cannot "hire and fire" its way to success. Instead, he wants to work with the district's newly formed teacher effectiveness task force, which is designed to change how educators are recruited, trained, compensated and evaluated.
The issues of teacher effectiveness and incentive pay have sparked controversy in LAUSD, where unions have resisted many reform proposals.
But Deasy helped launch a successful incentive pay model for teachers in Prince George's County, which pays educators more for working in high-needs schools and improving test scores.
And while with the Gates Foundation, Deasy also worked to revamp hiring, firing and pay policies in school districts in Tampa, Memphis and Pittsburgh.
"There is no question that in the work we did, Deasy was very supportive of the union's efforts ... I felt convinced he was serious about teacher involvement," said John Tarka, president of the Pittsburgh Teachers Federation.
"He has an intense level of work and determination and, quite frankly, I like that," Tarka said.
With nearly 30 years of education experience, Deasy said he realizes his new job will be difficult but believes the potential payoff makes it worthwhile.
"I believe all kids should acquire the knowledge and skills they need to graduate college and (become) work-force ready," he said. "I view these things as my responsibility, with the district team, to bring to fruition."
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