The New Super

Yvonne Brandon accepted one of the toughest jobs in town when she took over earlier this year as superintendent of Richmond's public school system. Improving urban education is one of the most complex -- and persistent -- challenges facing the country, and Richmond is no exception. The city's public schools have made meaningful progress in recent years. But the remaining problems are huge.

Too many students never graduate. And too many parents decide the schools are not worthy of their children. About a third of the students who live in the city do not attend the public schools. More might leave if their parents could afford to pay for the escape. Middle school is often the breaking point, when parents choose to send their youngsters to private school -- or move to a nearby county.

Brandon is refreshingly aware of all the troubles, including the ones over which a school superintendent can exercise minimal control, such as parents who are not involved with their children's education. She is clearly prepared to address all of them, including the city school system's woeful reputation as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.

She has worked in the city school system for more than 30 years. She is also a parent of a graduate of the school system. So Brandon brings a deep level of understanding to her new post. "My focus is on achievement, accountability, and action," she said during a Newsmakers conversation with members of the paper's newsroom and Editorial staffs.

Under Brandon, the city schools are working to identify students while they are still young who are at risk of dropping out -- and they are reaching out to those who have already left -- "those kids who have been turned off by school for whatever reason." She acknowledges that charter schools may have a place in filling gaps that traditional public schools cannot. And she is working on developing reforms to make the city's middle schools more attractive to students and parents.

Brandon has obviously spent time pondering the schools' financial difficulties. About budgeting, for instance, she notes that "in public education, the horizon is usually three years out. We need to focus five to seven years out, minimum." That's a good start.

We're also pleased to see that relations between the school superintendent and the mayor's office seem to have improved dramatically, now that both spots are occupied by veteran newcomers. "I meet with the mayor regularly," she said. "We talk a lot." Good for her. And good for Mayor Dwight Jones. Progress happens when important people communicate.

Accelerating the improvements in the city schools -- which is absolutely essential for Richmond and the region -- will not come easily. But we are encouraged the system appears to be in such able hands. "I believe in public schools," Brandon said. She now has an opportunity to win converts to her pragmatic brand of optimism.