The hurdles that state-appointed Special Master Steven J. Adamowski recommends the New London Board of Education complete before state supervision is lifted, make us feel a bit better about the potential end of state involvement.

Mr. Adamowski said Thursday that he will still recommend that the state Board of Education terminate state supervision July 1, but only if several conditions are met. They include creation of a formal evaluation process for new Superintendent Manuel J. Rivera, one that is based on student achievement. Too often politics and personalities have guided board decisions in hiring and firing superintendents.

Assuring everyone is on the same accounting page, the board must appoint an independent auditor to review district expenses. And Mr. Adamowski wants a memorandum of understanding in place before implementation of a plan to merge the city and school finance departments. In 2012, Mr. Adamowski blocked the consolidation, concluding no adequate plan was in place to implement it.

He also wants the Board of Education to define the partnership with the Garde Arts Center concerning its role in providing an arts curriculum under the magnet school plan. And he would require that a dispute between the school system and the city about which receives a state transportation grant be resolved.

The state Board of Education should adopt the recommendations.

If the New London board fails to meet the goals, a special master would remain in place, either Mr. Adamowski if he can be convinced to delay retirement, or another appointee.

Also reassuring is the special master's recommendation that even if formal state supervision ends, the state board should still keep a monitor in place in New London.

Mr. Adamowski recommends the training wheels be totally removed only after the city changes the way it elects the school board. Currently, all seven board members stand election every two years, which can lead to dramatic shifts in membership, making it difficult to establish consistency on policy and undercutting the board's relationship with the superintendent. Mr. Adamowski proposes four-year staggered terms, so that no more than four members stand for election in any year. The modification is backed by most city officials and this newspaper, but will require a charter change.

The New London school system is poised for positive and dramatic change. Continued state guidance will help achieve it.