and we thank her for her service. The superintendent has been a dedicated and gracious leader in very trying times. 
At best it is very difficult to be a superintendent in a major urban area in present times. At worst it is virtually impossible to negotiate a balance between the real needs of children and the top-down mandates of government fueled by the corporate-inspired agenda of the Gateses, the Waltons, and the Broads. We wish the superintendent good luck and good health, and again, thank her for her service to the city and its children.
Today at the BTU more than 350 children on 70 teams from 55 schools will be competing in the 2nd Annual MathRocks contest. 
Both individual and team winners will be announced next week. Students will leave the competition with a ribbon, an official MathRocks T-Shirt, and the knowledge that they have excelled in an academic enterprise. All who helped are to be congratulated. The mayor and the superintendent will be present, along with the BTU, to award the contest winners. The BTU membership is sponsoring this event by underwriting all of the above plus lunch and snacks to our wonderful and talented students.