As with the waterfront and the megaplex and now the casino, thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenues are involved.
Something similar may be afoot with the much-ballyhooed but little-understood plans to reform Boston's nightmare of a school-assignment plan. There may be a whole lot of promise, but there is an even bigger set of unanswered questions — just as there was with the waterfront and the megaplex.
In terms of the schools, the key question is being asked by City Councilor John Connolly, thought by many to be a possible Menino challenger if the mayor opts to seek a sixth term. Connolly wonders how much longer the school system can pinball around without a comprehensive capital plan that matches new school construction with changing city needs. Without one, will a new reassignment plan be a glorified shell game?
That Boston is in better shape than most cities of its size and age owes much to Menino. The question is, has it maximized its opportunities? Or, more importantly, how does it define its future — not in words, but in deeds?
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