We're trying to act like the development office of a private school. They can't live on tuition alone, and we can't live on taxes alone.

Basically, it's like taking seven steps backward from what we're trying to achieve in the school system. If we start this City Schools Foundation, do we have to use that kind of money to fill the void, which doesn't help that situation at all? If we get this thing off the ground this first part of the year, and we start out in a $7 million hole, that's not going to help.

We're trying to do something that no other team at the school has done. We have a nice run going. We see no reason to let down. We'll take it as far as we can and see how it turns out.

They all came in cheerful, ... Our kids are loving school.

It's got to be premeditation for some specific act.

We have a lot of respect for the office of the president, and I have a new respect for him because he was sincere, and he didn't have to take the time to meet with us.