ATTLEBORO - The school committee has extended the contract of Superintendent Pia Durkin under terms of the agreement signed when she was hired three years ago.

Durkin's contract was extended for an additional year automatically, school committee Chairwoman Roberta Wuilleumier said, under the contract which calls for an automatic extension unless the superintendent is notified of non-renewal by Oct. 1. The existing contract expires in June.

Wuilleumier said the form of the contract was adopted in the hope of encouraging a long-term commitment from a superintendent.

Both the school committee and focus groups conducted during the hiring process indicated a strong desire for an extended stay by a future educational leader, she said.

The contract extension was announced at Monday's school committee meeting.