Mayor Michael Pavia has outlined his priorities for 2012, and places Stamford Station improvements, education, and his own fire service plan at the top of those priorities.

"It's a wide variety of things, ranging from capital projects to making government more customer friendly," Mayor Pavia said about his 2012 Stamford improvement plans.

Among those plans, the upcoming upgrade to the Stamford Transportation Center is one of Mayor Pavia's highest priorities. "I'm talking about capital projects that will improve things like the transportation center, and they are transit oriented components, which will encourage people to ride the rail...and that's really part of a whole larger initiative; it brings the Stamford Transportation Center as the focal point of Stamford."

"We only hear about things that aren't necessarily the best," Pavia said about the Stamford education system. "I have done, plan to do, and will continue to herald the accomplishments of our education system."

While Mayor Pavia alone is not the deciding factor in the success or failure of Stamford's education system, he has his own ideas on how to best solve pressing issues, such as the ever-widening achievement gap.

"I do know that many of the teachers that I've spoken with all believe that there's a lot of things that need to be done in terms of raising the bar," Pavia said.

Pavia was able to confirm earlier reports about the status of the search for a new Stamford Public Schools superintendent, stating the The Board of Education is actively seeking a high-level hiring firm that will conduct a nationwide search for the city's next superintendent.

In December, Board of Education member Julia Wade told Patch that she, at least, would be willing to consider SPS interim superintendent Winifred Hamilton for a permanent superintendent position if Hamilton sought to fill the role.

Other local improvements will include online accessibility to government debts and land use permits, the mayor stated.