Jelani Jefferson wanted the consulantants helping the school district in their search to know that he feels many administrators and teachers are out of touch with the issues facing students today.

"One of the problems that I think is within the City of Syracuse is that they need more teachers that are able to relate to them," said Jefferson. "Be able to relate to them and teach them more of themselves and their history."

For the first time, Say Yes to Education will help Cascade Consulting find superintendent candidates, but the final decision on hiring will be made by the Board of Education.

Current Corcoran High School senior Brandon Capers wanted to learn more about how the search was being handled and hoped the next superintendent would do more to connect the schools with the real world.

"I think students learn better like that. If they see how to do it they learn way better, said Capers. "That's how I learn better. if I see it and can interact with it - it's better for me."

Several protestors at the meeting challenged the consultants to find candidates who are more concerned with supporting teachers instead of administrators.

"The superintendent needs to actually sit in the classrooms, see how these students behave and he needs to come up with heavier consequences for these students," said Henninger grad Diamond Breland.

Applications are due by the end of December. The consultants hope to bring some finalists to Syracuse in February.