Editorial: Pulling together for our schools

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005 | 7:28 a.m.

San Francisco Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman has headed the top-performing urban school district in California and one that often ranks among the top five in the country. The Clark County School District's search team and a group of business leaders, the Council for a Better Nevada, separately approached Ackerman to consider being a candidate as the next superintendent of our schools. But, sad to say, Ackerman declined since she already had accepted a teaching position at Columbia University.

It is encouraging that someone of Ackerman's caliber is being sought by the School District's search team and by business leaders. But, as the Sun's Emily Richmond reported, the union that represents administrators in the School District has criticized the Council for a Better Nevada's involvement in the process, contending that it is an inappropriate level of interference. But it is misguided to hold such a narrow view.

Ackerman certainly wasn't offended, saying she was "honored" that the Council for a Better Nevada wanted to talk to her. "The more people who are involved and vested in the process, the better," she said. Ultimately, of course, the new superintendent will report to the elected School Board and to the School Board only.

But for now, we should be calling on all available resources -- including availing ourselves of the extraordinary talents of business and community leaders -- to find the right person to lead our local public schools for a long time to come.