Durkin Picked as New Bedford Schools Chief

Pia Durkin will likely have a new job when she steps down as superintendent of the Attleboro school district at the end of June. She was appointed superintendent of the New Bedford school district Monday night, according to the Standard-Times.

The New Bedford School Committee voted 5-2 to hire Durkin, the newspaper reported. She said she would take the job, pending a contract negotiation.

"I really appreciate the school committee and the mayor giving me this opportunity," said Durkin, according to the newspaper. "I believe there's a deep commitment to change and I'm excited about doing it."

Durkin has headed the Attleboro school district for seven years. She never officially announced she was resigning, but also never publicly requested a negotiation with the school committee to extend her contract beyond 2012-13.

Attleboro's outgoing superintendent has plenty of local supporters and critics. Her supporters look to Attleboro High earning back its accreditation as well as improved test scores and graduation rates. Critics look to frequent staff turnover and Durkin's personality, which many people consider to be unfriendly. At times, she has clashed with some school committee members during meetings.

There are two finalists in the running to replace Durkin. They are Kenneth Sheehan, superintendent of schools in West Warwick, and Anthony Azar, a school district administrator in New Bedford.