We need more stories out there like this that tell the real story of how Dr. Durkin rules her roost. Maybe if we keep talking it up, the city of New Bedford may see it…Please Mayor Mitchell and school committee see what is really going on in our schools…..
Despite the Instill report stating that it is not applicable to high schools, Steve Urbon again referred to the Turnaround model as being the most successful. This is a deliberate misrepresentation shoved in to a story about the rally, in order to shore up the position of a public official.Not exactly speaking truth to power, Steve. what happened to journalism In the south coast?
Wow to the OW! Would someone reconvene the selection committee? Also, can we get the money back from the group that ran the search advertising? They could not have done a thorough background check on this mini tyrant. I would like the president of Bridgewater State University to answer for this.
It is very OPPOSITE of accountability to fire all the teachers (or half the teachers) in a situation like this. A Superintendent who had any sort of work ethic would take the time to evaluate educators, to figure out which practices and employees were progressing and which weren't.
I don't believe blanket solutions are the answer…on either side. There are many teachers who I'm sure do not deserve to have to reapply for their jobs…on the other side, there are many who should have been fired long ago. New Bedford always seems to lose their best.
In response to the first comment, what difference does it make where or if Hand got his journalism degree? Obviously he had good English teachers along the way. The article is truthful and in English. More than one can often say about the Standard Times.
I was complimenting Mr. Hand–sorry if you misunderstood. His style of journalism is foreign to the staff of the ST! I think he did the necessary research to reveal what the problem is with Dr. Durkin.
Just what the city needs, someone with tunnel vision who fails to see the deep- rooted problems that plague our communities and schools. There's so much more to “our” problems than teachers….sigh.
It's incredible to me that this woman is our superintendent. We have anti bullying classes for the students and unfortunately, their schools are being led by a bully. Intimidating teachers in their classrooms and making teachers and principals miserable enough that they want to quit, is the absolute worst example of management possible. If a business were run this way it would collapse.
It's not about the kids, it's about the money. The school dept. and school committee hope the plan will save them the money that was lost (or not) by the school dept. at the expense of the teachers and students. When the plan doesn't work they can walk and wash their hands of the whole mess, and as usual take no responsibility for their ineptitude.
To those who are singing the praises of the Attleboro Sun Chronicle please keep in mind that the paper remained silent during her Attleboro reign of terror. This “after the fact” opinion piece (and it's nothing more than that) is easy to do when Durkin's already gone and there are no consequences to be had between Durkin, the city and the paper.
The Sun Chronicle piece is a little meatier than an opinion piece. They have reported negative things about Pia in the past…it was easy to dig up this nugget from June 2013…”So why then, Attleboro citizens may be wondering, did the Attleboro School Committee not merely let Durkin get away, but virtually pushed her out the door? Good question.Part of the answer is that there has been a rapid turnover of administrators working for her. Communications issues have been cited. In giving the Attleboro school system the major shakeup cited by Tyler, Durkin stepped on too many toes.In our view, that did not justify the cable-televised sniping at Durkin by board members in 2011 or some of the other attempts at embarrassing her that pointed to the exit door.”
New Bedford Educators Association 
Jim Hand, you went to a school of journalism that not one person at the Standard-Times has ever heard of.
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It's refreshing to read a real newspaper. I wish we had one in New Bedford.
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Outside of New Bedford, the press reports news. Here, Phil Paleologos and the rag make it up.
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The word is getting out.
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We need more stories out there like this that tell the real story of how Dr. Durkin rules her roost. Maybe if we keep talking it up, the city of New Bedford may see it…Please Mayor Mitchell and school committee see what is really going on in our schools…..
LikeLike
Despite the Instill report stating that it is not applicable to high schools, Steve Urbon again referred to the Turnaround model as being the most successful. This is a deliberate misrepresentation shoved in to a story about the rally, in order to shore up the position of a public official.Not exactly speaking truth to power, Steve. what happened to journalism In the south coast?
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Usually beauty is also an inner quality, she lacks both.
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Wow to the OW! Would someone reconvene the selection committee? Also, can we get the money back from the group that ran the search advertising? They could not have done a thorough background check on this mini tyrant. I would like the president of Bridgewater State University to answer for this.
LikeLike
It is very OPPOSITE of accountability to fire all the teachers (or half the teachers) in a situation like this. A Superintendent who had any sort of work ethic would take the time to evaluate educators, to figure out which practices and employees were progressing and which weren't.
LikeLike
I don't believe blanket solutions are the answer…on either side. There are many teachers who I'm sure do not deserve to have to reapply for their jobs…on the other side, there are many who should have been fired long ago. New Bedford always seems to lose their best.
LikeLike
This is Durkin's way to bash teachers. So sad, there's a better solution.
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In response to the first comment, what difference does it make where or if Hand got his journalism degree? Obviously he had good English teachers along the way. The article is truthful and in English. More than one can often say about the Standard Times.
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I was complimenting Mr. Hand–sorry if you misunderstood. His style of journalism is foreign to the staff of the ST! I think he did the necessary research to reveal what the problem is with Dr. Durkin.
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Just what the city needs, someone with tunnel vision who fails to see the deep- rooted problems that plague our communities and schools. There's so much more to “our” problems than teachers….sigh.
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Durkin and the school committee seem to think that all the problems of our school system will be solved by firing teachers.
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special place in hell…
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Does anyone think that the DOE forced Dr Durkin on New Bedford? For some reason I get the feeling we are nothing but a giant experiment for the DOE.
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It's incredible to me that this woman is our superintendent. We have anti bullying classes for the students and unfortunately, their schools are being led by a bully. Intimidating teachers in their classrooms and making teachers and principals miserable enough that they want to quit, is the absolute worst example of management possible. If a business were run this way it would collapse.
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How does this woman sleep at Night…
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It's not about the kids, it's about the money. The school dept. and school committee hope the plan will save them the money that was lost (or not) by the school dept. at the expense of the teachers and students. When the plan doesn't work they can walk and wash their hands of the whole mess, and as usual take no responsibility for their ineptitude.
LikeLike
No coincidence NBHS goes to level four after the arrival of the new super, I'll bet she asked for it and her friends at DESE gave it to her.
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To those who are singing the praises of the Attleboro Sun Chronicle please keep in mind that the paper remained silent during her Attleboro reign of terror. This “after the fact” opinion piece (and it's nothing more than that) is easy to do when Durkin's already gone and there are no consequences to be had between Durkin, the city and the paper.
LikeLike
The Sun Chronicle piece is a little meatier than an opinion piece. They have reported negative things about Pia in the past…it was easy to dig up this nugget from June 2013…”So why then, Attleboro citizens may be wondering, did the Attleboro School Committee not merely let Durkin get away, but virtually pushed her out the door? Good question.Part of the answer is that there has been a rapid turnover of administrators working for her. Communications issues have been cited. In giving the Attleboro school system the major shakeup cited by Tyler, Durkin stepped on too many toes.In our view, that did not justify the cable-televised sniping at Durkin by board members in 2011 or some of the other attempts at embarrassing her that pointed to the exit door.”
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