Cortines paid $439,000 by top LAUSD vendor

Superintendent Ramon Cortines received the payments for sitting on the board of Scholastic Inc., which has done $16 million in business with L.A. Unified in recent years, the Times reports. Board members say there's nothing improper about the dual role since Cortines disclosed his connection to Scholastic. But superintendents in Chicago, Miami, Long Beach and Charlotte, N.C., are prohibited from receiving compensation from a vendor. "Nor would it be allowed in New York City, unless approved by a city conflict-of-interest board," said the LAT story. Also this: "Cortines said he performs his duties with Scholastic Inc. as needed after work, on weekends and on vacation days."