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Sam Joyner most likely ACT’s next president
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Posted on May 21 2009
Kagman Elementary School teacher Sam Joyner will most likely be the next president of the Association of Commonwealth Teachers, after finding out he’s the sole candidate for the position in this week’s election.
Joyner, the association’s incumbent vice president, will succeed San Vicente Elementary School vice principal Betty Miller.
Joyner said this is the first time he has attempted to run for the presidency and is optimistic on the result.
He said he was asked by a group of teachers to run for the position.
“They believe I can create a voice for the teachers,” he told Saipan Tribune.
He cited three key areas on top of his priority list: equality and justice for teachers, unity amongst teachers, and creating a voice for teachers within the Public School System.
Joyner said teachers at present are “completely powerless.”
Since Bennett’s departure as teachers’ representative to the Board of Education, nobody has taken over or was appointed to the position, resulting in the lack of teacher representation on the board.
ACT had recommended Miller for the position but the governor failed to make any appointment, following constitutional issues regarding the required “collective bargaining agent.”
Joyner disclosed that other areas that need immediate attention by his leadership is to help restore teachers’ salaries after it was slashed by the PSS, based on the highly qualified compensation plan for teachers.
It is also his priority to revitalize the association.
According to Miller, although Joyner was the only candidate who approached the Election Committee to express interest in the position, teachers can still write other candidates of their choice in their ballots.
“The sole candidate for president is Sam Joyner, but write-in candidates are possible, so we will see how the teachers complete their ballots,” she told Saipan Tribune.
