Over 50 business and civic leaders experienced the joys and challenges faced by our school administrators on a daily basis during the fourth Principal for a Day event on October 16.

During PFAD, a business or community leader is hosted by a school principal to learn first hand the strengths and challenges that are faced each day.

The Foundation for Madison's Public schools organizes this event to promote greater understanding of what takes place in the schools as well as to encourage the development of relationships that are beneficial to both the community partners and the schools.

Here are responses from some of the Principals for a Day when asked "What is one thing you learned today that you would like to share with the community?"

The high caliber of staff and dedication. The complexity of elementary education today.
Jerry Smith, Chairman, First Business Bank Services
Crestwood Principal for a Day

Students are treated with respect and are given every opportunity to succeed. The school is very clean. I now understand why support staff is needed.
Wayne Harris, President, Glowac+Harris+Madison
La Follette Principal for a Day

Wright had a wonderful mix of children with diverse interests and creativities, a staff that is innovative and dedicated, a principal who believes in education first and community members who give their time and energies because they believe in this school and the potential in all its kids.
Anjuman Ali, Interactive Editor-Editorial Writer, Wisconsin State Journal
Wright Principal for a Day

The school population is an indication of Madison's future. Given the challenges of poverty and increasing diversity in the student population, we must invest sufficient resources to ensure a successful and bright future for all of Madison's communities.
Peter Muņoz, Executive Director, Centro Hispano of Dane County
Allis Principal for a Day

The love these multicultural children have for each other will change our world.
Kathleen Falk, Dane County Executive
Nuestro Mundo Principal for a Day

Our schools are truly doing a tremendous job on a shoestring budget, but the string is beginning to fray. We need to strengthen our financial commitment to ensure the continued success of our district.

The challenges schools face today in technology/demographics are far more complex than most people realize — and yet our principals and teachers are committed and successful in tackling those challenges.
Bob Sorge, Executive Director, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Lindbergh Principal for a Day

Today's schools aren't what they used to be — the demands are incredibly complex requiring an inordinate amount of skills.
Dave Zweifel, Editor, The Capital Times
Marquette Principal for a Day

For modest investment, the community could provide a few extra things that would make a BIG difference.
Carol Toussaint, Independent Consultant
Lapham Principal for a Day

The patience required to be an effective teacher and administrator is incredible.
David Sanks, Executive Vice President, WISC-TV
Whitehorse Principal for a Day

Our schools are doing an amazing job but they are drastically underfunded.
J. Corkey Custer, Managing Partner, Custer Financial Services
Memorial Principal for a Day

Great schools, like Thoreau, happen because of the collaboration between parents, teachers, the principal and the community. Great schools (public schools) benefit us all.
Paige Goldner, Recruiting Consultant, QTI
Thoreau Principal for a Day

The feeling of "community" among administration, teachers and students. It was warm, supportive, friendly and nurturing.
Dan Koval, Madison Municipal Judge Stephens Principal for a Day

Thank you to Gary Wolter and Bill Johnston, our 2007 "Superintendents for the Day" and to the following "Principals for a Day" for participating in this year's event:
Anjuman Ali, Jim Armstrong, Richard Arnesen, Jeffrey Bartell, David Bernhardt, Kathy Blumenfeld, Paula Bonner, Tom Brien, Frank Byrne, Corkey Custer, Mike Dummer, Nancy Cross Dunham, Marc Eisen, Kathleen Falk, Chris Fortune, Eve Galanter, Jac Garner, Paige Goldner, Richard Harris, Wayne Harris, Betsy Huebel, Bradley Hutter, Christopher Johnson, George Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Dan Koval, Joseph Krupp, Susan Lipp, Melissa Meyer, Marta Meyers, Peggy Howard Moore, Sue Mowris, Peter Muņoz, Patrick O'Brien, Randy Olson, Bob Pesselman, Ryann Petit-Frere, David Sanks, Monty Schmidt, Joe Sensenbrenner, Arlene Silveira, Susan Siman, Paul Skidmore, Jerry Smith, Bob Sorge, Carol Toussaint, Rick Uhlmann, Julie Underwood, Barbara Waters, Allan Wearing, Noble Wray, Todd Young, Dave Zweifel.

Huegel Principal David Bray and Ryann Petit-Frere, a communication specialist with the Wisconsin Technology Council, examine a student's classroom work.

Mike Dummer, the chairman of Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Board of Directors, works with Glendale Principal Mickey Buhl.