Hartford Courant, 12.9.05

I'm writing in response to Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez appointing himself to the board of education and subsequently being elected chairman [editorial, Dec. 7, "Mr. Mayor, Or Is It Chairman?"]. Although The Courant argues that Mayor Perez is stretching himself too thin, I applaud Mayor Perez for his bold leadership.

Mayor Perez understands that a city cannot succeed without great public schools, the type that attract and retain children from all backgrounds and prepare them to compete in today's global economy. What's more, Mayor Perez is not afraid to take accountability for accomplishing this.

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As mayor of New Haven, I not only appoint the board of education, I am also a voting member. This benefits our children in three substantial ways. First, the board is made up of professional educators and parents instead of politicians. Second, the mayor's office and the board of education are better able to work as a team. And perhaps most important, voters know exactly who to hold responsible for what happens in their public schools.

In New Haven, the results have been remarkable. We have the largest school construction project in the state, which is rebuilding crumbling schools into world-class centers for learning. The high school dropout rate, now the lowest for any major city in Connecticut, has been cut in half, and the percentage of third-graders reading on grade level has increased from 15 percent in 1998 to 85 percent last year.

By working as a team, increasing expectations and making smart investments, New Haven has been able to better serve its children - and the 1,400 who each day choose to come from neighboring towns to attend our magnet schools.

Hartford residents and employers are rightfully demanding the best for children in Hartford. Mayor Perez is doing the right thing to spend his time and political capital on such accomplishments. That's leadership.

John DeStefano Jr.
Mayor
New Haven