Schools
Superintendent's Previous Job Ended in Conflict
Durkin resigned from her post in 2004 less than a year in Narragansett.
Current Attleboro Superintendent Pia Durkin previously held the same position in Narragansett, RI; however her time there was short due to repeated conflicts with the Narragansett School Committee.
Durkin was hired for a three-year commitment in May 2003 and offered her resignation in April 2004, less than a year into the contract.
Ann Masterson, former chair of the Narragansett School Committee during Durkin’s tenure, said “The school committee agreed it was not a good a fit.”
Find out what's happening in Attleborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Masterson said that the school committee was not happy with Durkin, nor was Durkin happy with the committee.
The lack of communication between the board and the superintendent was the biggest factor in the mutual unhappiness and the cause of her resignation.
Find out what's happening in Attleborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Masterson said she could not elaborate further on the exact specifics of the issues at the time because of an agreement between Durkin and the committee that said neither the committee nor Durkin would discuss the details in public.
Published reports, however, indicate that Durkin's proposed budget cuts to the town's special education program was a source of tension between the superintendent and the committee. Durkin, according to the report, felt she was not given the authority to properly lead.
The superintendent has also been criticized by an recently for her role in denying special education services to a child.
Durkin's with the Attleboro School Committee was obvious during several open and publicized meetings. In fact, Durkin nearly left the district earlier this year as she was a finalist for the in Lowell. The position, however, was given to Jean Franco.
Durkin has had her own battles with the Attleboro school committee on issues such as the Finburg rental contracts and the
It hasn't, however, been all sour apples between Durkin and members of the committe. Durkin has strong supporters on board as evidenced by th scores given to her by members Helen Johnson and Fran Zito. Both gave Durkin on her annual evaluation. The committee also extended her contract until June 2013.
Durkin did not respond to e-mail or phone requests for comment.
