Status Upgraded for Acting Attleboro School Administrators

For three Attleboro public school administrators, the audition is over and they got the job. Superintendent Pia Durkin announced at the Monday school committee meeting that these administrators would lose the "acting" portion of their titles. They are Attleboro High principal Bill Runey, Willett Elementary principal Kate Campbell and Brennan Middle assistant principal Glenn Bryant.

The three were hired last spring for appointments that started this school year.

Regarding Runey, who previously served as principal of Bishop Feehan High School, Durkin said, "The overall view of parents and staff was that Mr. Runey has made a deep connection and commitment to the Attleboro High School community."

Durkin said a teacher told her Runey is "learning our world while still leading us to high expectations. He is the person to take us to the next level."

Campbell, a district veteran who had most recently served as a literacy coach at Hill-Roberts Elementary, was a surprising appointment to some people last June. Durkin had replaced principal Catherine Zinni with Campbell, and appointed Zinni as principal of Thacher Elementary. This move that was criticized by several parents at a June meeting.

"She was tested very early on at the job," said Durkin regarding Campbell.

One of the Willett parents who was most vocally opposed to the administrative change is now a supporter of Campbell, Durkin said. She said the parent told her about Campbell, "She gets my kid. She knows him. She knows what he needs. He knows her and she knows what makes him tick."

Because of Bryant's job, parents usually only hear from him if their child has misbehaved. 

Durkin said, "I heard from several parents ... who were not happy hearing from Mr. Bryant, but who said to me that when he calls or when they met with him, they felt they were listened to and he very much cared about their children and built relationships with them to prevent further infractions."