Mayor’s schools hires are loaners

The mayor’s office acknowledged Thursday that two top hires it introduced this week are technically on loan from the San Diego Unified School District. One of the employees is Angela Bass, who was presented at a Monday news conference as the superintendent of instruction for the two academically struggling high schools and four middle schools that will fall under the stewardship of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The mayor’s team expects Bass and Staci Monreal to stay long-term in Los Angeles, said Marshall Tuck, executive director of Villaraigosa’s Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. The loan arrangement allows both to continue earning credits in the California State Teachers’ Retirement System. Tuck said he created similar contracts when hiring public school employees in his previous role as a charter school executive.

Confusion about Bass and Monreal’s intentions occurred this week when a San Diego Unified spokeswoman was quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune saying that the district would reap the benefit of added experience when the two return in July 2009.

Another spokesperson clarified that remark Thursday.

“We don’t have an expectation they will be returning,” said Jack Brandais. “It’s their option. This makes it easier for them to return. Certainly they are valued employees here.”

By Monday, Monreal will leave her job as principal of San Diego’s Central Elementary School. In Los Angeles, she’ll work with still-to-be-hired administrators who, in turn, will directly oversee groups of schools.

Bass’ former job as head of a program aimed at improving services to parents may fall victim to budget cuts. She was best known as a top lieutenant to former San Diego Unified Supt. Alan Bersin.

Bass will make $185,000 per year over a 2 1/2 -year contract. Monreal, who does not have a contract for a set period, will be paid $145,500.

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howard.blume@latimes.com