As her members cope with shortages and other challenges during the pandemic, Local 857 President Pat Paradiso questions the logic and timing of the deal

Press Release 3/11/21

PERTH AMBOY, N.J.: The Perth Amboy Board of Education on March 11 voted in favor of a new contract for Superintendent Dr. David A. Roman, a decision that leaves Perth Amboy Federation/Local 857 President Pat Paradiso and her fellow union members frustrated and confused by the BOE’s priorities.

“He always has to have five years to go on his contract, and every time they open up his contract, he’s given more money and more years,” Paradiso says. “We don’t know what the obsession is with five years, but if there is a time to prioritize something other than his wallet, it would be this year. The school board’s focus should be on hiring and retaining teachers and investing in whatever else is needed for a successful academic year.”

The Perth Amboy school district has faced many challenges during this pandemic-stricken academic year, among them a shortage of nurses and educators teaching out of their certification in order to cover for open positions. (Paradiso, an elementary school teacher all through her career, has been thrust into middle school and high school roles.)

“We’ve all been sucking it up and doing the jobs we’re not certified to do,” she says. “People are teaching themselves how to teach the content at the same time they’re teaching the students. It’s not the smartest use of manpower.” In some cases, she adds, “a series of substitutes” have been filling the staffing voids.

Nevertheless, Paradiso and the rest of Local 857 will stay focused on the task at hand.

“Despite all of this chaos, the teachers and support staff in Perth Amboy will continue to do everything within our power with the resources available to provide the children in this community with the best education possible,” she says.