Seattle Chief Leaves Legacy of Achievement

By Kerry A. White

Mourning the loss of their popular superintendent, John Henry Stanford, school leaders in Seattle have pledged to keep his legacy alive.

Mr. Stanford, a retired U.S. Army general credited with revitalizing the 48,000-student school system, died Nov. 28 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center after a seven-month battle with acute myelogenous leukemia. He was 60.

The Seattle schools are at a key point in several reform efforts begun under Mr. Stanford, and his departure leaves a leadership void in the district, said schools spokeswoman Annemarie Hou. But district leaders aim to ensure that Mr. Stanford's efforts...