Boston School Committee Extends Contract for Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger, Chair of the Boston School Committee, announced last night that the Committee approved the extension of Dr. Thomas W. Payzant's contract as Superintendent of the Boston Public Schools through December 2005. The Committee voted on the contract extension following its annual performance evaluation of the Superintendent.

The extension would make Dr. Payzant one of the longest-serving Superintendents in the district's history and the first since 1960 to serve for more than a decade. Dr. Payzant became Superintendent in October 1995. In 1998, the Committee extended his contract through September 2003.

In announcing the extension, Dr. Reilinger cited the progress made during Dr. Payzant's tenure in improved student achievement through standards-based reform.

"Under Tom Payzant's leadership," said Dr. Reilinger, "the work of the Boston Public Schools is concentrated on improved teaching and learning. The Superintendent has worked closely and diligently with the Boston School Committee and with the community at large to set high standards for schools and students and to demand accountability for results."

Dr. Reilinger noted the positive impact of Dr. Payzant's five-year reform plan, Focus On Children, and expressed confidence in his subsequent five-year plan, Focus On Children II.

"We are extremely fortunate to have a Superintendent with a national reputation for effective education reform," Dr. Reilinger added. "We are grateful that he is committed to remain on the job to continue and accelerate the challenging work we have begun together."

In setting priorities for the duration of Dr. Payzant's tenure, the School Committee called for the effective implementation of the six essentials for whole school improvement outlined in Focus on Children II, including:

• Improving student and school performance, especially in closing the achievement gap
• Developing an aggressive and comprehensive strategy to engage families in supporting students' academic performance, particularly by increasing participation in teaching and learning.
• Improving communication with all constituencies, including information flow between BPS and families about academic standards, and between BPS and the community at large about opportunities for involvement and support.
• Successful opening of three new schools and effective use of existing school buildings, to develop creative ways of meeting diverse educational needs of students and families.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Council of the Great City Schools (GCS), the 56 largest urban school districts in the nation:

• The average tenure of a GCS Superintendent is approximately 2½ years;
• The majority of GCS Superintendents (64%) serve between 1 and 5 years;
• Just over 14% of GCS Superintendents have served for more than 5 years; none have served for more than 10.

The last Boston Superintendent to serve more than 10 years was Dennis C. Haley, who held the post from 1948 to 1960. Only five other Superintendents in the 150-year history of the position have served for more than a decade.