Urban mayors try collaborating. (Update: education news from schools, businesses, research and government agencies).

Let's face it. Some school administrators equate mayoral involvement in education with hostile takeovers. Others believe mayors are the supreme finger-pointers. But a few urban mayors are shattering these stereotypes. They've tapped into a new game-collaboration.

In New Haven, Conn., Superintendent Reginald Mayo credits the mayor for pulling off a $1.2 million school construction program. Mayor Michael Coleman of Columbus, Ohio, has everyone talking about the achievement gap.

This breed of mayors recognizes the link between quality of life and local schools. "The fate of our city depends on the education of our children," says Mayor Tony Benavides of Lansing, Mich. Such slogans are not empty campaign rhetoric. These mayors are committing time and resources to education.

Coleman, Benavides and New Haven Mayor John DeStefano participate in the National League of Cities Municipal Leadership in Education project, which aims to improve the quality of K-12 education in urban communities via technical assistance including site visits, annual meetings and action plans. Another resource for municipal go-getters is the U.S.

Conference of Mayors, which provides mayors with guidance and support on issues ranging from charter schools to No Child Left Behind legislation.

Coleman's pet project is the Cap City Kids after-school program. The city developed standards focused on academics, nutrition and drug prevention; and Coleman established the Mayor's Charitable Trust to help fund it. Cap City Kids has grown from four sites in 2000 to 25 sites servings over 2,000 children.

The program is one example of Coleman's muscle. He has also welcomed the community to two annual education summits targeting the issue of the achievement gap in the city's 14 school districts. Working committees have been charged with developing strategic ways to address teacher quality, curriculum and community engagement.

Benavides has taken on middle school reform and created panels to focus on behavior, attendance and parental involvement. The effort has helped halt a mass exodus of students to charter schools.

Despite progress in target cities, collaboration isn't easy. It takes the right combination of people and may require a neutral third party. The end results make it worthwhile. "The mayor has a way of making people think big and it's contagious," Superintendent Mayo says. "It flows from him to me to the school district."

Salary Comparison
Ever wonder how mayors' and superintendents' salaries compare?

E. Sharon Banks (Lansing, Mich., Superintendent)   $147,500

Tony Benavides (Lansing, Mich., Mayor)             $107,000

Gene T. Harris (Columbus, Ohio, Superintendent)    $150,000

Michael B. Coleman (Columbus, Ohio, Mayor)         $124,000

Reginald Mayo (New Haven, Conn., Superintendent)   $152,000

John DeStefano Jr. (New Haven, Conn., Mayor)       $104,000