This sort of turnaround would flourish in a system of educational choice and merit-driven, professional teaching careers:

After a $35-million renovation that left no surface untouched, Nathan Bishop is truly a Cinderella story. Closed nearly three years ago, the school today welc omes its first class of sixth-granders and a new cadre of teachers handpicked by Michael Lazzareschi, an award-winning former elementary school principal who is determined to dispel the myth that middle schools are the district’s weakest link.

Handpicked teachers? You mean they weren’t selected for these plumb jobs based on proximity to retirement? Some would argue that this is more in line with the way “professionalism” ought to function in the public education system:

The Massachusetts Teachers’ Association expressed concern that such a system [of rewarding teachers for student success in AP classes] threatens “collegiality” in the schools, since some teachers who make the effort are rewarded more than others who do not. (The MTA wants the local unions to snub grants that go directly to teachers in the form of increased compensation.)
Union leaders in Dartmouth and Leicester rejected the grants that would let their schools participate, meaning only 12 systems will participate, though there is money for 14 this year.