Two Hamilton County Schools superintendents have been in the news recently - and a third will soon be, as the school board gears up to find a new superintendent.
There has been much talk, of course, about the early buyout of the contract of current Superintendent Jim Scales, who has served here since 2006.
We also noticed Dr. Jesse Register is getting a four-year extension as head of the Metro Nashville Public Schools. He was superintendent of Hamilton County schools for about 10 years before he left in 2006.
Being a successful leader of a large, metropolitan school system is challenging. Along with ensuring that students are motivated, there are problems of funding, politics and the personalities of pupils, parents and all the rest of us.
Some youngsters are so eager, their success is assured. Unfortunately, some pupils are so uninterested they have to be inspired (perhaps by frustrated teachers). But few things are more important for all our youngsters than getting them a good education and thus a good start in life.
Hamilton County soon will choose a new superintendent - who will lead generally the same teachers and the same students, and face the same challenges. It may be advisable for us to consider choosing our next superintendent locally - a person whom we know and who knows us. Then we all need to work together constructively.
There are varied views of "what's needed" in our schools. There will be positives and negatives no matter who is chosen.
But we should all resolve to keep our eyes on the most important goal: success for all our students, in school and after.