Competitive election

As a member of the Association of Commonwealth Teachers, I want to urge all PSS teachers in the Commonwealth that every one of us has a self-interested stake in the decisions that affect implementation of education within the CNMI. The relationship of the officers of ACT with you, the rank and file, and with PSS central administration and with the Board of Education is critical to the direction education will take in the immediate future and in next several years in the CNMI.

For those who are unaware of the workings of ACT, it is important that we, the teachers who work on the ground in the classrooms of PSS, know that all PSS teaching staff are affected, both directly and indirectly, by the quality of the leadership of ACT. It is your organization. Choosing strong officers for the Association now can have a positive and real impact as the Association gains traction on our ability as teachers to implement the educational services we’ve been hired to deliver. Unbeknownst to many, during the past two years, under the presidency of Betty Miller, the ACT has been instrumental in opening discussion with the BOE about many crucial issues, including the legitimacy of HQT status and scores, the directions SBA testing should take, supplemental compensation for teachers with special issues and many other matters related to our employment with PSS.

At this point, Sam Joyner is running unopposed in the upcoming ACT election for a two-year term to be president of the Association of Commonwealth Teachers. Sam Joyner is a very able candidate to fill Betty Miller’s shoes as her current term as ACT president expires. Mr. Joyner’s forthrightness and tenacity as a leader are admirable. His track record of skillful negotiation deserves respect. His concern and dedication to resolving issues facing teachers in the CNMI are unquestionable.

But it is important to note that over the past two years, current president Betty Miller has developed a very effective rapport with the BOE. Her skills have been the major force in creating the success that ACT has had in producing many recent constructive outcomes for teachers. Ms. Miller’s finesse in negotiating hard issues belies her toughness. She is a tiger who pursues balanced results and practical solutions to the issues that challenge implementation of education in the CNMI.

With her many unprecedented accomplishments in mind, it is clear that Betty Miller has been highly effective in representing the interests of all teachers in the CNMI, with the PSS central administration and with Board of Education. Her leadership has been tireless and effective. Without disparagement and with all respect to the current lone candidate for the top position of ACT, but also in the interest of making the ACT election competitive and credible, I urge that Betty Miller be seriously considered along with Mr. Joyner as a viable write-in candidate for the office of president of the Association of Commonwealth Teachers. Remember, every teacher in the CNMI is eligible to vote in the coming ACT election. Therefore, I urge every teacher, whether you are an active ACT member or not, to participate by voting for a preferred candidate to assure that we elect strong ACT officers who will represent our interests to PSS central and to the BOE.

When the results are in, regardless of whether Sam Joyner, Betty Miller or any other candidate is elected president of the Association, a competitive election will signal the Board of Education that ACT is a vital Association that represents the interests of teacher across the CNMI. A competitive election between two strong candidates will assure that ACT maintains its credibility and effectiveness while continuing to build on the gains it has made for teachers over the last two years.