Seattle School's academic chief Carla Santorno hit the nail directly and properly on the head last week when she told a meeting at West Seattle High School that there will always be someone who "will not agree with this decision, regardless."

It has been a long, contentious battle to decide whether the school should continue with the four period day the school has operated with since the early 1990s. After a debate with parents, teachers and administrators that stretched over two years, Santorno drew the line and said it would be a six period day beginning in 2008. Finally. We laud her firm decision and the manner in which it was made, albeit took a while to put all the reasons together to inform those at West Seattle High.

She made it clear that it "is important to us that students are very clear and secure that their schedule's won't be disrupted and that they will be able to take what they need to graduate and for the college of their choice."

One of the reasons was the vast disparity West Seattle had with the entire rest of the district. West Seattle is the only school on a four period day.

The Seattle District's new leaders are taking firm control of a district that has been left to wander for the past 10 years. Non-education leaders with good intentions permitted the individual schools to entirely chart their own courses which worked in some schools and was a disaster in others.

Now, with the roar for needed improvements reverberating over the city, Santorno and new Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson are showing the beginnings of what we hope will be firm, hand-on leadership.

To the person at last week's meeting who suggested a law suit over the decision, we say go for it if you like butting your head against a firm, reasoned and responsible decision.

- Jack Mayne