| Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los | | | | children, Villaraigosa has been very vocal |
| Angeles schools have had several run-ins over | | | | about what he sees as jumping through too |
| the past couple of years. Villaraigosa has | | | | many hoops. He has publicly accused the Los |
| been trying to gain control over the Los | | | | Angeles schools of rejecting outside help, |
| Angeles schools through both the legislature | | | | saying that the extensive procedures are more |
| and the courts. Thus far, his efforts have | | | | proof that the Los Angeles schools impede |
| been only marginally successful, having been | | | | even the best intentions. In his frustration, |
| given some control at the end of last summer. | | | | the mayor has said they are doing everything |
| | | | possible to refuse his assistance with Zoner. |
| This latest drama has at its center a high | | | | |
| school student called Zoner. This creative | | | | Santee Principal Vince Carbino and his |
| lad, who attends Santee High School, | | | | supervisors at the Los Angeles schools, said |
| decorated a bus with graffiti in early March | | | | the mayor must follow the same process as all |
| of this year. Unfortunately for Zoner, the | | | | the other mentor applicants. Carbino further |
| mayor and Los Angeles schools Superintendent | | | | stated that it is his responsibility to deal |
| David Brewer were riding on the bus. | | | | with Zoner by assisting him with any |
| | | | problems, educating him and focusing on |
| Villaraigosa's solution to the situation was | | | | behavioral change in order to ensure the teen |
| that the boy needed mentoring - his | | | | graduates and is successful in life. It also |
| mentoring. The mayor proceeded to apply to | | | | is his responsibility to ensure the safety of |
| the Los Angeles schools as a mentor for | | | | all students in every area of their school |
| Zoner. | | | | life, including mentors. What Villaraigosa |
| | | | sees as politics, Carbino sees as simply |
| The Los Angeles schools has a set procedure | | | | protecting his students. |
| for potential mentors. They must first | | | | |
| complete a one-page application. Then, they | | | | Additionally, Carbino stated that before the |
| must submit to a tuberculosis test and | | | | Los Angeles schools can approve the mayor as |
| fingerprinting. Finally, they are interviewed | | | | a mentor to Zoner, the boy must first work |
| by the principal at the school in which they | | | | with the school's psychiatric social worker |
| wish to mentor. The entire process can take | | | | for several weeks. Then, the student and his |
| up to a month to complete. | | | | family would decide if they want |
| | | | Villaraigosa's mentoring. He just cannot |
| There currently are 2,000 mentors within the | | | | insinuate himself into Zoner's life without |
| Los Angeles schools, offering a diverse | | | | regard to the boy's feelings or his family's |
| background and experience to the students. | | | | wishes. |
| Santee High School already has 40-50 mentors | | | | |
| on campus at any given week. Movie stars and | | | | Los Angeles schools' director of School |
| celebrities give drama and dance lessons. | | | | Volunteer Program is Susan Snelgrove. She has |
| Financial gurus teach students about | | | | offered to fast track the mayor's |
| financial planning and business. Health | | | | application, but she was adamant that he must |
| professionals focus on nutrition and fitness. | | | | follow the same procedures as everyone else. |
| They have all followed the mentor application | | | | |
| process with very little complaint. | | | | What do Zoner's classmates think about the |
| | | | whole drama? They were not too thrilled about |
| Though it is obvious that the procedures have | | | | the mayor interfering with a student. |
| been created for the protection of the | | | | |