In his first opportunity to speak directly to parents and teachers, Jean-Claude Brizard wasted no time in getting to his Number 1 concern at last night's Superintendent Candidate Forum: improving graduation rates for city schools.

It was the big question on everyone's mind, with some version of it asked more than a half-dozen times.

"Early intervention during the middle school years, particularly in reading and math," Brizard said, is critically important if students are going to succeed in high school.

"We can't wait to address the problem of reading until 10th grade, because by then it's too late," he said.

But Brizard's responses to some questions were less predictable, and may distinguish him from some of the other finalists.

Asked about No Child Left Behind and his experience with high-stakes testing, he said: "Testing is here and it's a reality we have to live with today." Instead of condemning NCLB's testing regimen, he said testing can help make teachers and administrators more accountable.

He also is a strong proponent of students completing high school in four years, and of having all students "aimed at" college - prepared well enough that they could at least consider college. Some educators have argued that students need more than four years to complete high school, and that districts should accept the reality that not all students are interested in or suited for college.

Asked about mayoral control of urban school districts, Brizard referred to his experience in the New York City school system under Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"It has its good points and bad," he said. While the New York City school system has seen some improvements in its graduation rates and student performance, Brizard said that the worry among parents, teachers, and administrators is what happens when a new mayor replaces Bloomberg.

"Everything will change," he said. "The danger in that is we'll have a whole new administration with a whole different set of ideas."

Brizard talked about creating smaller schools and about the success he has had at the secondary level when students remained with the same teachers through middle school - students having the same teacher for 7th, 8th, and 9th-grade math, for example.

Brizard is said to have been successful in negotiations with the district's unions. Some board members have quietly expressed concerns, wondering whether he has been too agreeable. But Brizard said no. And, he said, he is not afraid of firing incompetent teachers, principals, and administrators.

In discussions about the impact of poverty on urban districts, Brizard relies on his personal story. He left Haiti with his parents and settled in Brooklyn when he was 6. But even though they were poor, he stressed, his parents were fully engaged in his education.

By the night of the forum, a buzz was building about Brizard, with some School Board members considering him a favorite. It's easy to see why. He is has a strong presence, seems thoroughly versed about the Rochester school district, and seems to understand its challenges. He's also able to communicate his understanding of the problems with ease.

Brizard earned two master's degrees, one in school administration and supervision and one in physics. He has been high school principal and has been a regional superintendent responsible for 100 New York City schools and over 100,000 students. He is now a senior administrator with the New York City school system. He has a 6-year-old daughter.

School 50 Principal Tim Mains will be the candidate featured tonight. The forum is at East High School, 1801 East Main Street, beginning at 6 p.m.