Good Catch for Menino

Published Jun 20 2007, 01:05 PM by David S. Bernstein

Aside from the fact that Boston already has a Carol R. Johnson (a landscape architect involved with the Rose Kennedy Greenway design), there's not much to complain about with the new Boston school superintendent selection. Time will tell how she navigates the city's incredibly tricky intersections of politicians, unions, community activists, administrators, city departments, state agencies (esp. DYS and DSS), and on and on.

If I was Johnson, I would hold a very, very lengthy exit interview with acting superintendent Michael G. Contompasis -- who probably knows the ins and outs of those dynamics and personalities better than anyone.

Like Deval Patrick, Johnson will bring a much-needed outsider's energy and perspective, that will get nowhere without the help of seasoned insiders on her team. Contompasis can help her figure out who she can lean on in that regard.