Hendrix adorns San Fran school plan

SAN FRANCISCO, March 30 (UPI) -- Administrators with the San Francisco school district have chosen an unlikely mascot for a new education guide -- rock legend Jimi Hendrix.

Images of the 1960s musician appear on each of the new education guide's 51 pages and the cover of the document proclaims: "Our plan is as transformational now as his music was then," the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday.

The guide outlines Superintendent Carlos Garcia's plan to transform the educational "experiences for every child in each of our schools."

However, some have raised concerns about making an educational icon out of a rock star who died from an overdose of prescription drugs and alcohol.

One district employee who described himself as a "liberal hippie educator who experienced the Summer of Love in San Francisco" said he found the use of Hendrix, and his image on posters that accompany the document, disturbing.

"I find the choice of Hendrix as an inspiration to be used in an educational setting rather strange and out of touch," the employee said.

Garcia said the use of Hendrix highlights the plan to "revolutionize" the educational system in the city.

The superintendent shrugged off comments about the rock star's drug use.

"Hey," said Garcia. "We're in San Francisco."