New Bedford Teachers Union Not Endorsing Superintendent Candidate
NEW BEDFORD - The New Bedford School Committee will select the district's newest superintendent Wednesday night. After about a month of performing site visits and interviewing the four finalists for the position, the Committee will cast their votes for the person to replace outgoing Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin.
Lou St. John, President of the New Bedford Educators Association, says the organization is not endorsing any one candidate. But he tells WBSM News he has spoken with Mayor Jon Mitchell and other members of the Committee about what he's looking for in the next superintendent.
"Someone who's collaborative; someone who is going to be a positive force for our students and teachers; someone who acknowledges that teachers are doing a good job and are working really hard," are some of the qualifications St. John detailed.
Dr. Durkin announced her departure late last year, citing "philosophical differences" with School Committee members. St. John says the new superintendent needs to also be able to work with everyone who has a stake in the education of the City's children.
"They have to be someone who's willing to work with all parties," said St. John. "Has to work with the members of the School Committee; has to work with the teachers and teachers union; with the parents. So, personality, you always want to have someone who has a good working persona."
The teachers union took a vote of "no confidence" in Dr. Durkin in 2014.
The vote for the new superintendent takes place Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Keith Middle School.
The finalists are Dr. Robert Gerardi, Dr. Heather Larkin, Ana Riley, and Thomas Anderson.