Saturday, May 24, 2014

Durkin would not have had my vote ... By Gerald F. Chase


My name is Gerald F. Chase, a former member of the Attleboro School Committee, 1998-1999.

I wish to comment upon the persona of one Mrs. Pia Durkin. The challenge for me, which I think that I meet, is to write as objectively as I can about her ... because, frankly, she does not impress me, nor ever has.

Plainly, she is strong-willed and motivated. However, her megalomania-like personality creates at least as many problems as she allegedly solves. She has been terminated, let go, or contract-not-renewed for most, if not all, of her previous superintendent posts.

Such a factual track record should be weighed heavily in assessing her professional value.

Had anyone from New Bedford, especially a member of its School Committee, inquired of me about Mrs. Durkin, I would have told them that I would not recommend her. Period.

Gerald F. Chase

Attleboro


42 comments:

Joe Teacher said...

Kudos to Mr. Chase for writing this letter to expose the fraud that is Pia Durkin.

Anonymous said...

^ I only wish the members of the New Bedford School Committee had the courage to admit they hired a loser for superintendent.

Anonymous said...

The school committee is made up of political hacks. Jack Nobrega is the oldest and Josh Amaral is the youngest. But they all are a cast of fools.

Anonymous said...

I'm shocked that the Unger Times also published this letter. I know Bob does everything he can to protect his precious.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Chase,

I applaud you for speaking out on a situation that no longer has an impact on your community. She is however creating havoc in ours.

Thank you again!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Chase,

I applaud you for speaking out on a situation that no longer has an impact on your community. She is however creating havoc in ours.

Thank you again!

Anonymous said...


I believe we actually paid a selection company to find the the final candidates. Then a local group led by the President of Bridgewater State made the Pia Durkin choice.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Mr. Chase.

Anonymous said...

We need to work together!

Anonymous said...

I am tired of the blame game. New Bedford is where it is because we let it happen. Now she has to clean up the mess that so many people participated. Let's suck it up and work together to put our school system back on top. No excuses!

Anonymous said...

The teachers did not "let it happen" . New Bedford is where it is because of drugs and poverty. Let's begin healing families instead of attacking teachers. We are all struggling. She isn't cleaning a mess, she's making new messes to clean. At least 4 years of great students have been lost to other high schools because of this leader's actions. (not to mention highly qualified staff members leaving for other districts)

Anonymous said...

yep.....NewBedford got stuck with a loser like Durkin because nobody else was dumb enough to renew her contract or hire her. The standard times treats her like she is the new "messiah". She's so pumped up with all the praise (certainly not earned in my opinion) that she's getting....maybe we can tie some ropes to her and fly her over the city like one of those Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade balloons.....she's full of hot air and not much else!

Anonymous said...

^That balloon wouldn't interest me at all!

Anonymous said...

Teachers are tired of the blame game and being used as pawns and scapegoats!

Anonymous said...

And Durkin is entrusted with all that money to hire new henchmen courtesy of Chester?

Anonymous said...

Pia's true character is revealed, once again. The mayor and SC are too arrogant to own up to their poor hiring choice.

Anonymous said...

I would love to know the identity of the person defending Durkin in this blog. Seriously??? If you think she is here cleaning up " messes" you are cut from the same cloth and deserve each other....... Unbelievable!

Anonymous said...

The Durkin fan is most likely not a teacher who has to put up with her insanity. So it's soooooooooo easy to "get over it". Go to .....

Anonymous said...

the mayor and the school committee are obviously privy to info that the rest of us are not. I wish that someone would just come out and speak truthfully. "we have to have her here she is in like flynn with DESE and can get us the money and resources from the state that we so desperately need"
sorry teachers and others who had to fall in her wake.

Anonymous said...

It could be Durkin herself posting

Anonymous said...

The new deluge of money will never replace what we have lost as a district. NEVER.

Anonymous said...

I knew her BOSSES in Boston, Joe Shea....told me GOOD LUCK you got one IDIOT for a SUPT

Anonymous said...

I agree with the above post. Cutting 50% of staff was ridiculous as everyone with half a brain knows it isn't the teachers' fault! I can't believe Durkin implemented this "state-approved plan." We should have had textbooks and technology long before now. Where did the 4.5 million dollars go? Anyone find out? With the funding coming from the state our way and MANY fine and dedicated teachers already cut, I agree that we will NEVER replace those people. . . . . . . . . even our own "teacher of the year." It will go down as the most devastating chapter in the history of NBHS. (Honestly, I think it will get worse! Sorry, folks!) Rest assured: what goes around comes around. I have no doubt that all the people responsible for this will suffer as we have had either with an unforeseen illness, accident of some type, or family trouble. We might not be witness to it, but it will happen. Mark my words! I am positive of that. Payback can be a b****!

Anonymous said...

Or $$$$$$ &&&&&? She is the Durkin Data cheerleader.

Anonymous said...

This entire school year has been a bust. It's been a year of chaos, declining school wide discipline problems that were not addressed, no support from administrators at PRAB or from principals and a lack of focus on learning. It shouldn't be a surprise when the MCAS scores come out and the scores are flat.

Anonymous said...

Look, how long have we worked with PCBs and contaminated classrooms and common areas? Just think about the long-term respiratory problems. Is that fair to teachers and students? Do you think the mayor and superintendent's office pose health hazards? Why is it okay for us? They've known about this for years and haven't done a damn thing. The high school is a rotting corpse and repairs are nonexistent.

Anonymous said...

The schools fall apart but yet the 90k facilities manager does nothing and continues to violate the union contracts and civil service law.

Anonymous said...

The Pia fan made a poor attempt to counteract the powerful statement submitted by Mr. Chase. Kudos to his integrity for speaking out and substantiating what we already know.

Anonymous said...

The day of reckoning will come and Durkin's disciples will be left in the dust.

Unknown said...

"I would love to know the identity of the person defending Durkin in this blog."

I bet there are also many who would love to know yours.

Anonymous said...

Wait, What Mike???

Anonymous said...

On this Memorial Day, let's take a moment to remember our teachers (some with actual military service) that are gone or going, and those that have been attacked like an enemy in battle. Keep fighting! A FREE public education in our nation was part of the sacrifice. God Bless America.

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike I am more than willing to say who I am if you would be willing to spend a week in school with me. I despise ignorance !!! You couldn't walk in my shoes and survive for a day !!!

Anonymous said...

Well said. Maybe "mike" raised some kids, however he didn't have to be in a classroom with them for 6 hours a day hoping that they would actually WAKE UP!! I always said…..You CANNOT sit in my classroom and sleep with your eyes wide open! Let's see if anyone remembers that…………….

Anonymous said...

Love it!!! :)

Unknown said...

My number is in the phone book. Call me. I'd be happy to spend some time with you. I've actually been on your side throughout the Durkin fiasco. Did my response that "I bet there are also many who would love to know yours" really deserve being called ignorant? You have no idea as to whether I do or do not understand what goes on in classrooms. So then, I've accepted your challenge. Bring it on.

Anonymous said...

So, who is Olive Jadlowe that writes into Letters I the ST and why does she have such a chip on her shoulder against NB teachers?

Anonymous said...

When MCAS scores go up what are we going to say? Teachers hard work and......

Unknown said...

"Hey Mike I am more than willing to say who I am if you would be willing to spend a week in school with me."

Looks like Mr./Ms. Anonymous wasn't really serious, were they.

Anonymous said...

Mike he/she would def get fired for posting on this blog. I don't really think you are fully aware of the current climate.
Really great teachers/ admins are being axed for no reason .

Unknown said...

Then why issue the challenge? I'm actually on the teachers side in this. Yet I make one innocuous comment and they pounce like bullies in a schoolyard. And when challenged they run and hide in the darkness.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.