At the Pleasantville Board of Educationmeeting on Oct. 14, 2025, several union leaders and community representatives pushed back after Superintendent Dr. Martinez sent a written letter to PEA President Kathy Watson and PEA Vice President Percy directing that union written communications be routed through the board secretary and warning that further direct communications could be considered insubordinate.

The letter, read aloud by Kathy Watson during public comment, said the superintendent held a statutory and administrative role and stated that "as of 09/16, the district has 3 special ed vacancies" while also asserting there were "19 rooms open right now in the high school for special ed classes without a special ed teacher." The letter said that communications with board members must follow procedures advised by the boardgeneral counsel.

Why it matters: The exchange came as the PEA and district prepare for upcoming contract negotiations. Union leaders said the letter chills employee advocacy and undermines collaborative problem-solving on staffing and safety.

Union and county education association leaders addressed the board directly. Alice Carsili, government relations co-chair for the Atlantic County Council of Education Association, urged the board to protect employees who advocate, saying, "Defending Kathy Watson isn't just about defending 1 person. It's about defending every educator's right to advocate without fear." Melissa Tomlinson, second vice president of the Atlantic County Council of Education Association and an executive board member of the New Jersey Education Association, reminded the meeting that "members of the Board of Education are elected officials" and said no one can deny a person's right to reach out to an elected official.

Watson read sections of the superintendent's letter and responded to its directives. She disputed the letter's characterization of her statements and described her communication as part of her elected union role. "I can't be insubordinate if I'm the president," Watson said, adding later, "We won't be quiet." She also raised district operational concerns in public comment earlier in the meeting, including technology staffing, Chromebook access for students and involuntary custodian transfers.

District counsel and administrators told the board during the meeting that there are established procedures for written submissions to the board. The superintendent's letter, as read by Watson, repeated the district's instruction that PEA written communications be submitted through the board secretary and that grievance channels be used for contract disputes.

Board members did not take a formal vote on the letter or on any motion to change communication protocols during the public portion of the meeting. Several union and county leaders told the board they hoped for continued dialogue and mutual respect during negotiations.

Ending: The disagreement surfaced publicly ahead of contract talks later this year; union leaders said they will continue to raise staffing and safety concerns in public and through the grievance process.