Urban public education needs to be improved, and the superintendent is the key to improvement. Because the public influences school quality, the superintendent must deal with the public and with political leaders and officials. Hence the superintendent must be a community leader and should meet and work with the city's mayor. Mayors are aware that public school quality affects the city's tax base and its financial burdens. In Chicago, the public schools also work with a business advisory group and with individual businesses that adopt schools. The superintendent also must be a coordinator and leader and must communicate with the public (through the media) as well as maintain communication with representatives of different economic, cultural, ethnic, and other groups. The superintendent today is more dependent on other governmental agencies, too, for security and safety. Because of the schools' financial needs, the superintendent must also be involved in getting grants. Support for public education from mayors and other city officials is vital to schools and needs to be demonstrated. (RW)