LAUSD Chief Blames Teachers' Unions For Sacramento Setback

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A vote on Thursday to approve the Los Angeles Unified School District budget for next year faces stiff opposition from the district's own superintendent.

KNX 1070's Jon Baird reports the vote comes less than one day after lawmakers killed legislation that would have made it easier to fire bad teachers.

[Superintendent John Deasy was furious after the Assembly Education Committee defeated a bill that would have streamlined the process for terminating teachers in cases involving sex, drugs, violence against against the children.

"I mean, that is just beyond my comprehension," said Deasy. "It's shameful."

The bill was opposed by the powerful California Teachers Association as well as United Teachers Los Angeles, who argued the bill would have violated due process for teachers.

"I think the teachers' union in this case was very clear: kill any bill that expedites the firing of teachers," Deasy said. "This was about adults' rights, not kids' rights."

But Deasy had a new fight on his hands as the Board of Education was set to vote to approve furlough agreements with various unions and adoption of the district budget.

Board members are expected to sign off on expenditures of an estimated $400,000 to review 8,300 complaints against school employees that have rocked the district and resulted in the termination and prosecution of several teachers and other employees.

The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. at LAUSD headquarters downtown.