Director Soriano states that "a huge mistake" was made when previous Seattle School Boards hired superintendents who lacked backgrounds in education. The mistake was not in the selection of these quality candidates such as John Stanford and Raj Manhas who clearly demonstrated the leadership skills necessary to implement both educational and fiscal reforms. But rather the mistake is in the unwillingness of a school board to unify in charting a course with the Superintendent and to support him in providing for a quality education program.

I agree with Ken Alhadeff that a superintendent must have great leadership skills including "a savvy understanding of the business and economics of public education".

Even the most skilled leader with the broadest credentials, including vast educational experience, will fail however, without strong and unified support from the people who hire him/her. For the sake of the students, teachers. parents and community, our School Board needs to demonstrate leadership by example.

Paul Plumis

Ballard