Several union representatives used the public comment period to criticize a written communication from Superintendent Dr. Martinez to PEA leaders and to call for respectful collaboration among district stakeholders.

Alice Carcili, identified herself as the government-relations co-chair for the Atlantic County Council of Education Associations, and urged the board to protect educators'9 rights to be treated with dignity and to advocate without fear. "Defending Kathy Watson isn't just about defending 1 person. It's about defending every educator's right to advocate without fear," Carcili said.

Melissa Tomlinson, second vice president of the Atlantic County Council of Education Associations and an executive board member for the New Jersey Education Association, told the board she had observed district growth over 15 years and urged the board and administration to cooperate. Tomlinson criticized a portion of a letter that she said directed Kathy Watson not to speak to board members. "The members of Board of Education are elected officials. And as such, nobody can deny a person a right to reach out and have a conversation with an elected official," Tomlinson said.

An identified commenter read aloud a letter she said was hand-delivered to PEA officers and described its contents, which criticized statements allegedly made by PEA leadership, asserted the district had three special education vacancies as of Sept. 16, and directed the PEA to send written communications through the board secretary and to use the contractual grievance process. The reader said the letter characterized contrary public statements as improper and warned that disregard of the process "will be considered insubordinate." The reader responded that PEA leaders were not going to be silenced and that they sought "a seat at the table."

Why it matters: the remarks focus on labor relations and communication protocols between the superintendent, union leaders and elected board members. Speakers emphasized legal protections for collective advocacy and urged adherence to respectful, collaborative processes.

Background: The transcript shows the superintendent had delivered a written communication that the commenters described as directing the PEA not to communicate directly with board members and insisting communications go through the board secretary. Union speakers said that instruction threatened the ability of elected representatives and union leaders to communicate and advocate on behalf of staff.

Next steps: No formal board action was recorded during the public comment period to change communication procedures; commenters urged further dialogue and reminded the board of upcoming negotiation timelines.