Dr. Pia Durkin

Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin stopped by WBSM to talk with Phil Paleologos about the state of New Bedford schools.

Two of the four candidates vying for three available seats on the New Bedford School Committee appeared on WBSM Wednesday, addressing what they feel are the biggest issues going forward for the city's school department. Both seem to agree that Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin is one of those issues.

The Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation donated $60,000 to the New Bedford School Department to continue funding the "Play Works" program, which encourages school staff and students to work together to teach social and emotional skills at recess and in the classroom.

Dr. Pia Durkin begins her fifth year as Superintendent of New Bedford Schools.  She talked with WBSM's Jim Phillips about the challenges ahead. Townsquare Sunday with Jim Phillips can be heard each Sunday at 6am on WBSM 1420 and WBSM...

New Bedford's new state-of-the-art elementary school for the South End won't be ready when the new school year begins on August 31. In a letter dated July 31, New Bedford Schools Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin informs parents and students that the new Irwin Jacobs Elementary School will not be opened in time for the upcoming school year...

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has concluded its monitoring of New Bedford Public Schools’ implementation of its Accelerated Improvement Plan (AIP), and has expressed its confidence in the district’s ability to continue its track record of progress under the plan and leadership’s strategy...

The New Bedford City Council listened to Schools Superintendent Dr. Pia Durkin deliver her annual presentation and proposed budget for the system. The $130 M budget is 3.5% higher than last year, and the state has also warned municipalities to expect less state funding for schools...

An after-school basketball program for young people in New Bedford is looking for community support to continue. The program began this year at the urging of community activist John "Buddy" Andrade who lobbied school officials for the use of the Gomes School in the South End...

Congrats to the 2016 graduates and staff at New Bedford High School. 71% of last year's class, that entered four years prior, made the grade and graduated. Here's the ticket: Massive growth in the number of English Language Learner graduates, from 35% in 2015 up to 60%...

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) today released its annual data on graduation and dropout rates across Massachusetts. New Bedford High School’s 2016 four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate has increased to 70...