If there were any doubts that the Rochester School Board's search committee could come up with good, solid finalists to fill the district's superintendent position, last night's public forum with Tim Mains should have dispelled them.

For the second night in a row, the public was able to have a fairly intimate question-and-answer session with a candidate.

And Mains didn't disappoint.

He is the only local candidate. He served on City Council for 20 years, made an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2005, and he is principal at School 50.

Mains and finalist Carlinda Purcell were caught in a hailstorm of criticism last summer when their names were leaked to the media as the two finalists. Much of the public's concern was directed at school board members and the search process, but both candidates faced unexpected scrutiny.

Last night was Mains' opportunity to reshape public opinion. 

Smart, ambitious, and particularly insightful, Mains' interaction with the audience and his quick responses confirmed why school board members made him a finalist.

Attendance was a little higher for Mains than it was for Jean-Claude Brizard on Monday. And the questions were a bit more personal.

Among the biggest concerns last night were the district's low graduation rates, poverty's impact on student performance, and racism.

One question challenged Mains' sincerity, asking him, "First you want to be mayor, now you want to be superintendent. What is it that you really want to do, and how long would it be before you wanted to do something else if you became superintendent?"

Mains said his background on City Council and in the school district made him the ideal candidate for the superintendent job.

The forums continue tonight at East High School at 6 p.m. with Carlinda Purcell.