In Boston, Stability Is Key Issue in Search for Leader.

The article presents information related to the termination of decade-long tenure of Thomas W. Payzant as superintendent of the Boston schools. With the aim of informing the transition, two prominent education policy groups released a study of the district's accomplishments under Mr. Payzant. With the same intent, more papers on his track record are in the works for a conference planned for June 2006. Few dispute that Mr. Payzant, who is retiring, has left a positive mark on teaching and learning in the 60,000-student district. But while many civic leaders stress the need to build on his successes, some community activists worry that the search could lose sight of areas still in great need of improvement.