Superintendent's Message: A Farewell to Jamesburg
To the Many Dedicated Parents, Teachers, and Residents of Jamesburg:
On Monday, June 30th, I will be leaving my position as Superintendent of Schools for this wonderful community. I am leaving to accept the position of superintendent of the Westampton Township Public Schools, a mid-sized community in central Burlington County about seven miles from my home in Florence. I leave with very mixed emotions. On the one hand I am pleased that my one hour commute each way from my home is coming to an end, and I am excited about the possibilities that exist for me in this growing community in South Jersey. This is an exciting time for me and I do look forward to the challenges that I am accepting there.
However, these good feelings are tempered by the fact that I will be leaving this wonderful community that adopted me five years ago when you appointed me your Superintendent/Principal for the GMB School. During that time, I have come to respect the people who call Jamesburg their home. The residents of this borough are wonderful people who are enduring serious financial hardships to call this community, their home. I salute your sense of community and your commitment to your schools. You have my undying respect for the way you pull together to do what is right for your children.
To the members of the Board of Education, I thank you for the opportunity that you have given me and the support that I have enjoyed over the last five years. We have disagreed on some issues but never on our resolve to make sure that these young people were provided with every opportunity that they need to have a thorough and efficient education. Citizens of all communities throughout this state owe a debt of gratitude to people like you who are willing to accept the additional responsibilities of making decisions regarding the education of the children of the community. It is often a frustrating and thankless job, and recently Jamesburg’s Board of Education has experienced an unusual amount of frustration when dealing with the unique financial burdens that you have faced over the last two years.
To the young people who have attended the Jamesburg Public Schools for the last five years, I thank you for your many kind acts to me. You have given me a great sense of pride that I played a small role in your personal and educational development. I am constantly impressed with your sense of community and your sense of respect for each other regardless of any differences that exist between you.
The teachers and support staff in your schools are true professionals. The buildings are cleaner than most other schools throughout this state. The support staff are efficient and work very hard to make sure that the students’ day is productive and meaningful. The teachers are second to none in dedication to their teaching responsibilities and care of your children. I am so proud to have been able to call them my colleagues for the last five years. I offer my special thanks to the staff at the GMB School, where I served as the principal. I will always be grateful to you for extending yourself in every area of education and trying new programs designed to broaden our students’ educational horizons and social development.
So, it is with mixed emotions that I am leaving. One thing is certain; I will never forget the opportunity that this community has given me to develop as a professional. I only hope that your memories of me will be positive ones also.
Sincerely yours,
Richard Ballard
Superintendent
© 2003 Jamesburg Public Schools