I don’t know where to begin. I can’t begin to explain the disappointment and anguish of losing my job without a valid reason. There is not a legal requirement for the individual running Human Resources to have a principal’s certification.

Bernice Marshall

I currently have instructional and school business administrator CEs as well as my master’s in human resources and education. I will have my doctorate in education in less than a year along with my school administrator certification. The previous Director of Personnel was here for 11 years and never evaluated employees.  Throughout the time I have been employed for the district of Perth Amboy I have gone above and beyond the scope of my position.

My evaluations have been nothing less than exemplary. I have been more than diligent in ensuring that I complete all the duties and responsibilities delineated by my job description and countless additional responsibilities not expressed in my job description. I was even given some of the job responsibilities of the Assistant Superintendent.

Under my pervue all state mandates and deadlines where met for teacher evaluation including the implementation of Teachscape. This resulted in 100% completion of all teacher evaluations last school year. This was completed without any assistance from the previous Superintendent or the current Interim Superintendent. This was done all on my own.

Having the Director of Personnel evaluate will not miraculously have the district fall into compliance with Achieve NJ. In fact there are a few individuals including the Interim Superintendent that has not made an earnest attempt at completing 1 observation thus far this school year. It angers me to know that I left a good job with another district to come to Perth Amboy to ultimately be treated so unfairly. I have been nothing less than loyal and dedicated to my job and the district, however the reward for my loyalty is to unjustly have my job abolished.

I know that I am more than qualified and prepared to run the Department of Human Resources but it further angers me that the interim superintendent could not notify me face to face, I had to find out via email and by reading the board agenda. Before I go I would like to thank the employees and administrators of Perth Amboy for making my employment, although short lived, a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

I would like the public to know that as the Board votes (no matter what the justification they are providing) they are not voting to approve a new job description because it is warranted. They are voting to rid the district of a dedicated and hardworking employee.