Failed Attempt to Host A Night of Celebration and Honor

Jun 9, 2023

Amid a Sea of Declining Proficiency & Teacher Resignations, the District Falls Short in Trying to Look Like it Cares

The Following is an Email I sent to the Berkeley Heights Board of Education on the 06/05/2023 Educator of the Year Awards:

I don’t expect a reply, indeed, not an apology, but for those of you who are unaware of how you allowed a night that should have been joyous and festive into a sad affair, I will elaborate on the public statement made by Susan Poage last night.

Educators of the Year and their PTO representatives, along with retirees, were invited, by special invitation, to attend an informal reception in their honor to be followed by a meeting (with a 7:30 PM start) to celebrate their distinguished award and service publicly.

Not a single member of the Board or Administration bothered to apologize for being nearly 20 minutes late from Executive Session. Not a single member of the Board or Administration bothered to attend the “reception” which was a few plastic chairs in the back of the cafeteria.

There was no sign of congratulations for any of the Educators or Retirees.

The word was that the retirees and Educators had “receptions” in two separate locations.

Why?

So its clear – there was no reception, not even an attempt at one. Not a single member of the Board or Administration acknowledged that all but one Educator attended this meeting on their day off. Not a single member of the Board or Administration thanked the families, co-workers, and students of our Educators and Retirees for coming out to support them.

Dr. Varley stated that Educators are the number one indicator of student achievement and success. Why is it so hard for her and you all to show your support?

The Board and our Central Administration will be taken seriously when you start to respect the fantastic educators employed here. You can say you care, but you have failed time and time again to show you care, and last night was a prime example of how little regard you hold for our Educators.

Do better; our Educators and students deserve it.