Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed: "we can't stand by" and let schools fail

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said that he does not want to take over Atlanta Public Schools, but would be pushed to do so if the system does not improve. In an event this week at the Atlanta History Center, Reed expressed confidence in the leadership of interim Superintendent Errol Davis, and predicted that the system would do well in an upcoming accreditation review.

"I don't want it," Reed said of control over the school system. But "we can't stand by and let it fail. I have plenty to do, but I love kids. If we don't see significant improvement...the mayor should take the system."

Reed was joined at the forum by former Atlanta mayors Sam Massell, Andrew Young and Bill Campbell.