Romer Chosen as New L.A. Schools Chief

Former Colorado Gov. Roy Romer on Tuesday was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which has been struggling with low test scores, fractious leadership and the threat of state oversight.

Romer, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, will assume leadership of the nation's second-largest school district, with 711,000 students, in July.

"The new face of America is going to be developed, in my judgment, in the L.A. community. You have the potential of being the premier metropolitan area of the United States," Romer said at a news conference. "Now, there's one flaw to that. If you do not make this school system work, you're never going to get there."

Romer, 71, succeeds Ramon Cortines, who was brought in as interim superintendent in January to begin reforms after the departure of Ruben Zacarias.

Romer said he is interested in the quality of instruction, professional development, school facilities and the identification of individual student needs.

Romer spent nearly 40 years in Colorado government, beginning in 1958, when he was elected to the state House. In 1962 he moved into the Senate. He served 12 years as governor, from 1987 to 1999, and was barred by law from seeking a fourth term.

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