Categorized | Local Perspectives

COMMUNITY VOICE: Thinking Outside of the Box

Is a $6K teacher recruiting trip to Puerto Rico really a good investment?

$5,808 are being used to send four administrators; three school principals, and the district’s human resource director to find bilingual teachers, in Puerto Rico, to fill some of the 15 to 20 bilingual teaching positions that are open in the district (nj.com). Choosing administrators was very important, yet, the Bilingual Director, one of the most important people, was not mentioned to be going on this trip. Mrs. Lillianne Cruz-Argemil, as presented in the District’s website, is the Bilingual Director the Perth Amboy School District. Being the director makes her the perfect person to understand what type of individual is needed in the school district, yet she will not be going to the trip.

When the board of education made the decision to approve this trip, did they not look at the unemployment statistics? The national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is 7.6 as of December 2012, yet in Salem County, NJ it is 11.5. In New Jersey there are four counties whose unemployment rate is above the national average, yet we are looking to hire employees outside of the state and in the district’s case, the country. Instead of spending $5,808 in trips to another country, train the already hired teachers to fill the requirements needed to the specific job position. There are many teachers that if given proper training to fit the bilingual certification guidelines, would love to teach bilingual students. It is time for the district to start thinking outside of the box, not outside of the country.

Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/ro3/urphl.htm)

Jaritza Rodriguez

Perth Amboy High School Student

 

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