Michael Johnson, a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, has been named Albany's new superintendent of schools. Johnson currently serves as superintendent of Community School District 29 in Queens. He has also worked as a principal and teacher in New York City. The Albany school board unanimously approved hiring him and said they were impressed by his energy and experience. As superintendent of District 29 Johnson instituted technology programs in the middle schools and helped get several schools of the list of failing schools.

"It seems to me he has an enormous amount of energy," said board Vice President Barbara Gaffuri. "And this district really demands someone who has an enormous amount of energy."

The article, entitled "New Head of Albany Schools Called 'Battle Tested'" appeared in the May 7th edition of the Albany Times Union.

Published Thursday, May. 8, 2003