David Weiss, the superintendent in Long Beach, N.Y., wrestled with a slew of considerations last week as he weighed when to restart school, nine days after Hurricane Sandy wrecked his community. Just one of seven buildings had most of the essentials: electricity, heat, working fire alarms, sewage, and food. And, with many students and staff…

New Orleans is looking for a few good teachers, principals and charter school operators. As state and local officials struggle to rebuild the city devastated by Hurricane Katrina 18 months ago, they are facing a severe shortage of talent willing and able to educate the fast-growing student population. The problem is especially stark in the schools…