By Suzanne Russell
PERTH AMBOY — Board of Education members will vote Tuesday on whether to spend nearly $6,000 to send four district administrators to Puerto Rico next month to recruit teachers.
District Director of Human Resources Bernice Marshall, Perth Amboy Adult School Principal Senovia Robles, McGinnis School Principal Myrna Garcia and Perth Amboy High School Principal Nestor Collazo are seeking board approval to travel to San Juan-Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, from April 28 to May 2. The recruitment trip indicates they will visit three universities. The cost of the trip is $5,808.
The Perth Amboy Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Perth Amboy High School.
Donna Chiera, president of Perth Amboy Federation/American Federation of Teachers, said her understanding is that the trip is to look for teachers who can speak Spanish.
“I find it very difficult to believe with the (teacher) layoffs in the tristate area in the last couple of years that they need to go out of the continental U.S. to recruit teachers,” said Chiera, who is also unsure if there are positions open next year for teachers fluent in Spanish and English.
“I cannot see the reasoning,” she said. “I clearly support the talent of New Jersey having the first shot.”
She said teachers certified in Puerto Rico cannot teach in New Jersey unless they have national board certification. She questions if the district is going to offer signing bonuses or other incentives.
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