Monday night’s speedy school committee meeting brought a resolution to the extensive search for a new superintendent. The dust cleared and the smoke settled and Dr. Pia Durkin, superintendent of Attleboro Public Schools, has emerged the victor, winning six of the seven school committee votes. One vote went to Dr. Kriner Cash (and one initially went to Dr. Stephen Zrike, but was later changed to Durkin)
You can read the review I did of her after her public interview here. I was very impressed.
She was ultimately my pick as well, as I stated in this piece.
My interest in her hiring has waned since I wrote those articles. I’ve flip-flopped a number of times between her and Dr. Kriner Cash, who I see as a higher-risk, higher-reward (and higher salaried) candidate. I have some concerns over just how excited Attleboro seems to be to see her go, but at the same time, I understand that seven years in one place is practically a lifetime for a superintendent. Perhaps it’s just time for a new voice there.
We should be welcoming her with open arms. We could use her leadership. New Bedford is known for being extremely, let’s say… insular. It’s time we let someone in and allowed them to make some significant change for the better. With that in mind, I place my full support behind Dr. Durkin.
We can afford to give her a fresh start if she can afford to give us one too. What we can’t afford is another severance. The onus is on us just as much as it is her.
Welcome to New Bedford Dr. Durkin.
