Attleboro's Superintendent Not Going to Lowell

Despite Attleboro Superintendent Pia Durkin's success with the Attleboro School District's "Journey Toward Excellence," her journey to a job running the has ended. 

The Lowell School Committee tonight voted unanimously for another candidate for the job, Jean Franco. Franco was the number two in charge of Lowell Schools. Durkin was one of the five initially selected as candidates for the position. As of today, the committee had narrowed it down to two, Durkin and Franco. 

“We had two very strong finalists in my mind,” Lowell School Committee Member Jackie Doherty said. "The final two were Durkin and Lowell’s current deputy superintendent Jean Franco, who has worked in Lowell for the past 15 years."

Doherty noted that Durkin "has demonstrated a tremendous amount of growth in the Attleboro school system," citing the reductions in dropout rates in Durkin's five years as well as the increase in Advanced Placement classes offered and taken by students. 

Doherty said she spoke with Attleboro parents who said their children’s attitudes toward AP classes have changed significantly. 

“What I see is demonstrated success in Attleboro," she said.

While the Lowell School Committee's decision may have been an upset for Durkin,  Attleboro School Committee Chairman's wish of "I'm hoping that it doesn't happen" came true. 

"When she came here 5 years ago we put together a task force that had very specific goals," Ray DiCiaccio said. “They gave here a 'to do list' and she accomplished what was on it.”

The goals involved regaining Attleboro High School's full accreditation, which was accomplished in September of this year. Other goals included lowering the dropout rate and increasing the graduation rate.

Now, the school committee will have to wait and see what Durkin decides to do next. 

Durkin did not respond to requests for comment. 

"Selfishly I hope that she’s staying," DiCiaccio said. "I think it would serve us best for her to stay here.”