The last time Philadelphians elected a mayor, education was barely a blip on the candidates' radar screen. A new superintendent, David W. Hornbeck, had just begun his second academic year, and - while issues in the sprawling system loomed large - there was little public agitation for the mayor to be more accountable for the schools.

What a difference four years can make. In this close, competitive, issues-oriented contest, education is playing a starring role - from the perspective of citizens and the candidates.

Participants in The Inquirer's Citizen Voices project signaled their belief in the centrality of education repeatedly during nearly a year of deliberation. They understand that improving the public schools isn't only to benefit the 210,000 children now enrolled. It's key to stabilizing neighborhoods, growing the workforce, and retaining and attracting residents.

Fortunately for Philadelphia, Democrat John F. Street and Republican Sam Katz are taking the issue just as seriously. While each has a different approach - though not as divergent as some campaign rhetoric implies - they both begin at the same point:

"I will lead a crusade for public education," Mr. Street promised the Citizen Voices on Oct. 2.

"I will make Philadelphia's public schools the best urban school system in the country," Mr. Katz pledged.

The challenges are Everest-like. The school district faces a projected $156 million deficit next year. Half of its ninth-graders don't graduate on time; 58 percent of its sixth graders cannot read or do math and science at basic levels. While Mr. Hornbeck's reform agenda is admired nationally, his political misfires and communication lapses have burned many valuable bridges.

In addition, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers' contract expires Aug. 31. Contentious issues of prep time, seniority and salary will have to be faced.

All this will fall squarely on the next mayor if a City Charter change is approved by voters in November. Both candidates support the change, which would have school board members serve terms concurrent with the mayor.

Mr. Hornbeck will have to look for a new job if Mr. Katz wins; Mr. Street is staying mum about the controversial superintendent. But far more critical is the issue of funding. Both candidates adhere to the common wisdom that cutting class size and expanding preschool and after-school programs are sound strategies, but don't say exactly how they'd pay for it all.

Mr. Street, who has fought for more school funding, wants to craft for the district the same kind of state oversight/bailout deal that helped the city escape default in the early '90s. After scrutinizing the budget, he argues, lawmakers would realize that Philadelphia's pleas for more state aid were justified. "We're going to run this system pretty much how it's run," he told the citizens. "Then we'll go to Harrisburg and tell them what we want and what we'll give up."

This approach has flaws. First, fairly or not, it's been dismissed by Gov. Ridge. And it's reminiscent of the antagonistic tactics employed during the Rendell years, when hyped crises came and went while the state dug in its heels.

Mr. Katz says that before asking the legislature for additional funds, "we must show that we can better manage what we have." He wants schools to become more entrepreneurial and less bureaucratic - details to come.

Still, his plan is more pragmatic than his opponent's. While Mr. Street says that he'd consider vouchers only in return for unspecified "full funding," Mr. Katz is willing to put more on the table. A limited voucher program for distressed schools and selective privatization would be in the mix - not only to bargain with the state, but to offer parents a choice for their children and a reason to stay in Philadelphia.

Voters, too, have a choice, between a vigorous defender of the current course, or a bolder but riskier reformer. They must ask: How much change do Philadelphia's schools need?