Seattle Principal Dan Warren is a rock star. He is in his early 30s, energetic, enthusiastic and fully engaged in improving the life of every child at John Hay Elementary School on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill. Three of my four kids have been led by Mr. Warren. He knows the name of every kid in the building and he has a deep knowledge of their background, skills, challenges and opportunities. And everyday I see teachers who have been in the classroom for 20 or more years engage with him in meaningful ways. They respect him even though he’s young enough to be their own kid.

And now, next year, he’ll be leaving my kids’ school to lead another elementary school across town.

I’m proud of him and enjoyed seeing him grow as a leader. I honor his service. He has the spiritual core of a school leader in his soul, and he’s doing the type of work he’s meant to do. I am proud of him but also deeply saddened to see him leave.

Because of Mr. Warren and others, my passionate belief in the powerful role that princicpals play in the quality of our schools has been solidified. And it’s not just me. The Gates Foundation has directed extraordinary amounts of time and money toward enhancing our nation’s principal core. Obama Administration Education Secretary Arne Duncan is a passionate advodate for improving our nation’s principal core. As a general statement I believe the strength and competence of the principal core in my own community is fantastic, but we need more tools as a city to make it better.

When principals have alignment between accountability, authority, resources, training and relationships, schools improve. And so does the quality of life for teachers, parents and students.

I truly believe that.

The Governor has announced a commitment to winning Round Two of Race to the Top funds, and Superintendent Randy Dorn has joined her efforts to strengthen teacher and principal skills. The important legislation should be introduced in the next day or two.

One specific challenge and opportunity for points under the Obama Administration competitive program is our efforts to strengthen the skills of principals.

The Seattle Public School District in previous years provided tenure to the principal core. It is time for that policy to change. It is time for us to embrace the opportunity of Race to the Top not only to seek federal dollars but to move in a direction of innovation and accountability around our leaderhship.

I know that every great teacher wants a great principal providing leadership and support. I believe in the servant leader model where the principal works in service of the teacher in a gracious, generous and holistic way, empowering the teacher to be all he or she can be to reach kids.

I believe it is time for the state, in setting the stage for a successful Race to the Top application, to recognize that in today’s world the Seattle policy of providing tenure to principals is no longer feasible or aligned with President Obama, the state’s education reform movement or other progressive initiatives.

I intend to work with my colleagues to achieve this objective in the days and weeks ahead.

Your partner in service,

Reuven