If nothing else, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's choice to lead Connecticut public schools is bold, but we suspect it is much more than that.

His recommendation of Stefan Pryor, the Yale-educated, Newark, N.J., deputy mayor, underscores the governor's promise to reform struggling urban schools and suggests a likely change of direction at the state Department of Education.

Mr. Pryor would not be a cookie-cutter education commissioner. Except for a brief stint as a student teacher in New Haven more than a decade ago, he hasn't worked in academia. But he clearly understands education and the challenges that public schools, particularly those in poor urban cities, are facing.

He comes with rave reviews. People who have worked with him in various arenas all point to his strength as a consensus-builder. They say he is an innovative thinker, and a progressive leader in developing new ideas to invigorate slumping public schools.

If he is confirmed by the legislature and lives up to his reputation, Mr. Pryor may very well be exactly what Connecticut needs. That's why we and so many others are excited that Gov. Malloy is recommending him.

Connecticut must do better by its public schools. Once a source of pride, the widening achievement gap between urban and suburban schools is now sullying the state's education reputation.

Gov. Malloy is asking that the state's next legislative session focus on education. He is gearing up to rewrite the state's funding formula for public schools, a longtime source of frustration and controversy. While Connecticut per-student spending is on the high end when ranked nationally, the disparity between achievement of its students in rich and poor communities is at the other extreme - among the worst.

Mr. Pryor was instrumental in founding the Amistad Academy, a highly acclaimed charter school in New Haven, and that has some educators worried. They're concerned that his connection with innovative charter schools will make him anti-public school. Some site his lack of classroom and superintendent experience as a possible detriment.

We don't see it that way.

He's a graduate of Yale College, Yale Law School and is currently a deputy mayor of Newark, N.J., where he's been overseeing economic development since 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Pryor worked for the Lower Manhattan Development Corp., helping redevelop the area after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. And he worked for a New York City program that brought educational reform strategies to poor Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhoods.

He was a onetime alderman in New Haven and worked as an aide there to Mayor John DeStefano, who has high praise for his former employee, saying Mr. Pryor is just the kind of advocate for education reform that the state needs.

Connecticut public schools need a jolt. They need a creative thinker to help get them back on track and to make the difficult but necessary changes that will be required.

Education has always been Mr. Pryor's passion. He understands the importance of good schools for all students, not just those who are privileged. Clearly, Gov. Malloy took care in recommending him. The governor has been searching for a new education commissioner since last winter. He wants a commissioner ready to meet the challenge, not one who is content with the status quo.

It looks like Mr. Pryor fits that bill.