Thoughts on LA mayoral control legislation

I got this email today, which seemed like good news for much-needed mayoral control of the LA school system (the 2nd largest in the country and a total mess):

Governor Schwarzenegger Applauds Legislature for Approving Measure to Boost LAUSD Accountability to Students and Parents

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement following the Assembly approval of AB 1381 by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez:

"The students of LAUSD are winners thanks to the Legislature's actions today.  Mayor Villaraigosa stepped up with bold leadership to help our children achieve their dreams. 

"This proposal challenges the status quo and makes the mayor accountable to the LAUSD students and their parents.  While there are many great schools, principals and teachers in LAUSD, I cannot accept the fact that too many schools are failing our students, as evidenced by the high school dropout rate.

"I ask the Legislature to immediately send this bill to my desk so that I can sign this measure to give all LAUSD students the quality education they deserve to succeed."

But when I checked in with a friend of mine who's close to what's going on, he said:

The brief story is that this would have been great news a year ago when there was a mayoral control bill that was strong on control and accountability.  Instead, the bill that passed this week was a deal with the unions, small neighboring cities and anyone else that needed to be greased.  A victory for Mayor Villaraigosa and really nobody else.  There was some support for it within the LA charter community, but more based on the political rather than policy dynamics.

The LA Times editorial board has been spot on with this issue for the past 14 months or so.  Pushed it when it was good, attacked it when it went sour.