Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said he supports Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Erroll Davis and wants Davis’ contract to be renewed for another two years. But he also wants to increase the pay for Davis’ eventual replacement to help Atlanta recruit a successor with an undeniable national record.

“I think we should recruit a superintendent like we recruit a football coach,” Reed told a group of reporters. “You look out across American and see who’s winning, and then you fly in and recruit. I think the next superintendent is somewhere in a great job, is happy and doesn’t need to come to the city of Atlanta. I think we need to spend like we want somebody like that.”

Reed said he could raise money from the private sector to fund the salary increase. Davis makes $240,000 per year, an additional $10,000 annually for travel and $10,000 for expenses.