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Boston Public Schools Superintendent To Retire

BOSTON (AP) — The superintendent of Boston's public schools has announced that she plans to retire at the end of the school year after six years on the job.

Carol Johnson's announcement on Wednesday came just weeks after her husband of 40 years died following a lengthy illness.

The 65-year-old Johnson, who has two years remaining on her contract, cited her husband's death as well as the decision by Mayor Thomas Menino not to seek re-election as major reasons for her decision.

Johnson's tenure has been marked by higher standardized test scores and higher graduation rates, as well as aggressive efforts to turn around underperforming schools.

She has also come under fire for closing some schools and for chronically tardy buses.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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