Sparks flew early during Thursday night's City Council budget hearing with the School Department.

Minutes into the meeting, some councilors expressed their unhappiness that Supt. Dr. Pia Durkin only attends the council chamber during budget sessions.

Councilor at Large Linda Morad stood up and said she didn't plan on listening to Durkin's presentation and walked out of the chamber. She says she left because she would have felt like a hypocrite if she sat there and listened.

"I have not had any cooperation nor have my colleges with Dr. Durkin or members of the School Committee and unfortunately I felt tonight I was going to maybe give them a taste of their own medicine," Morad said in a phone interview after she left the meeting.

After the presentation, Councilor at Large David Alves told Durkin  "this is the worst relationship the School Committee has had with the City Council in 20 years. I can't help but place the blame at your feet."

He then left the chamber.

in response to the criticism, Durkin says she is always available to respectfully talk to anyone that contacts her office with any questions or concerns.

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420