We the undersigned want a superintendent… 1. who recognizes that schools are not businesses but public institutions with a unique mission of educating all children to be participants in a democratic society. 2. who is an educator with a deep knowledge of teaching and learning. 3. who can foster collaboration between principals, teachers, parents and students at all levels…who understands that people do the best job when they have a voice in shaping the decisions that effect them. 4. who respects the process of collective bargaining and recognizes the rights of workers to organize. 5. who recognizes that test scores only tell part of the story about teaching and learning and should not be used by themselves to judge the effectiveness of schools or teachers. 6. who embraces the goal of quality schools for all children rather than providing lottery tickets for the fortunate few. 7. who is committed to meeting the needs of special needs children and their families including improved services for English learners 8. who understands a curriculum must connect with the life experience of students and motivate them to inquire, ask questions and construct knowledge. 9. who recognizes that poor and working class children, particularly children of color are not treated equitably in our society and this must change. 10. who knows that poverty matters and to talk about it is not “making excuses.” Improving educational outcomes will take a major investment in overcoming the inequalities in our society. Finally we feel compelled to add that if the cuts, both those that have been made and those that appear to be on the horizon, are allowed to stand, it is unlikely we will be able to find someone of quality to preside over our schools and, even more unlikely that that person would be able to deliver on the promise of improving our schools.