For different reasons, both the Durham and Wake public school systems are searching for new leadership and both have, predictably, launched a much ballyhooed "national search campaign" for new superintendents. Why spend the money when there are numerous administrative personnel already serving DPS and WCPSS who would likely do well with greater authority?

One possible candidate for Wake would be Ann Denlinger, former DPS superintendent who brought diversity, improved academics and, to some extent, neighborhood schools to parents and children here. Until Denlinger arrived in the mid-'90s, once-proud Durham High School, built for 1,800 students, had become an academic basket case with barely 300 students representing near zero diversity. After Denlinger, DHS is now a thriving Trinity Park landmark, 1,700 strong with a waiting list!

The Wake board may not agree with her position on diversity, such as it is, but her commitment to student achievement is without question.

Graham Marlette, Durham