Eli Broad Taunts LAUSD with Cash for Arts School

Eli Broad recently pledged close to half a million dollars to support the enrollment of minority students at Juilliard, the elite New York City arts academy. This has left LAUSD back home in Los Angeles wondering - where's our money? The billionaire developer-philanthropist has proven his dedication to the city of Los Angeles and to the arts with tens of millions of dollars in donations over the years. He has mentioned an interest in supporting the arts at LA schools before, but this time it is critical. The school district plans to open Central Los Angeles High School #9 - a new flagship arts school - in the fall, but as of yet have no director for the school and little clue as to how to run it.

The school, which is in its last phase of construction, set the district back about $250 million. But because the school was built on the desirable district-owned Grand Avenue lot , an additional $190 million was spent to relocate the district's offices. The school has received much acclaim during construction, both for its proximity to the burgeoning arts corridor on Grand Ave downtown, and for its curious design by Austrian firm Coop Himmelblau. But as the 2009/10 school year approaches, district officials worry about the school's ability to open and operate smoothly.

Joining others, Broad has suggested the school be managed by an outside organization but continue to receive funding from the district. This charter school arrangement has been extremely successful in rehabbing other struggling local schools. But the district refuses. Another option is to delay the opening of the school for one more year, until everyone can truly agree on its mode of operation. But that delay would be costly and inefficient. Construction is nearing completion and the idea of maintaining a vacant school is both embarrassing and depressing. Whatever happens, it has to happen quick - Eli Broad won't be dangling his millions forever. If we don't suit his fancy here, he may just pack up and move back to Detroit. Or worse: New York.