Debra Sykes resignation letter

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3145 Krueger Road North Tonawanda, New York 14120 November 8, 2013 Dr. Pamela C. Brown Superintendent of Schools Buffalo Board of Education Room 712 City Hall Buffalo, New York 14202 Dr. Brown, As you’re aware, today I was provided with ten minutes notice that you wanted me to meet with you around 11:30 am today. I was unaware of the purpose for the meeting when I arrived in your office to meet with you. Upon sitting down you advised me that you requested Darren Brown to be a part of the meeting regarding my recent job performance. In the meeting you indicated that you were unhappy with my recent job performance. You then stated that I had the option to resign my position by submitting a letter of resignation by the end of the day today or face potential, immediate, disciplinary action. As you are aware I am eligible to retire under the NYS Teacher’s Retirement system. In light of your comments to me today and to ensure my continued receipt of certain employment-related benefits, you leave me no choice but to submit this letter of intent to retire, which I hereby submit under duress. Also, please be aware by submitting this intent to retire, I waive no right to make claim in any agency or court of competent jurisdiction, relative to the duress you have placed me under, or otherwise. It is regrettable, that you have, effectively, forced my retirement. I believe as a senior employee, with thirty-two

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Resignation letter from Debra Sykes, the Buffalo school district's chief of strategic alignment and innovation, to Superintendent Brown on Nov. 8, 2013.

Transcript of Debra Sykes resignation letter

Page 1: Debra Sykes resignation letter

3145 Krueger RoadNorth Tonawanda, New York 14120

November 8, 2013

Dr. Pamela C. BrownSuperintendent of SchoolsBuffalo Board of EducationRoom 712 City HallBuffalo, New York 14202

Dr. Brown,

As you’re aware, today I was provided with ten minutes notice that you wanted me to meet with you around 11:30 am today. I was unaware of the purpose for the meeting when I arrived in your office to meet with you. Upon sitting down you advised me that you requested Darren Brown to be a part of the meeting regarding my recent job performance. In the meeting you indicated that you were unhappy with my recent job performance. You then stated that I had the option to resign my position by submitting a letter of resignation by the end of the day today or face potential, immediate, disciplinary action.

As you are aware I am eligible to retire under the NYS Teacher’s Retirement system. In light of your comments to me today and to ensure my continued receipt of certain employment-related benefits, you leave me no choice but to submit this letter of intent to retire, which I hereby submit under duress. Also, please be aware by submitting this intent to retire, I waive no right to make claim in any agency or court of competent jurisdiction, relative to the duress you have placed me under, or otherwise.

It is regrettable, that you have, effectively, forced my retirement. I believe as a senior employee, with thirty-two years of experience in Education, I remain ready, willing and capable of fulfilling the requirements of my position in an exemplary manner for many years to come. Nevertheless, you leave me no choice and I hearby provide notice to you of my intent to retire from the Buffalo Public Schools, effective on the close of business on Friday, November 29, 2013, I will resign my position as the Chief of Strategic Alignment and Innovation for retirement purposes from the Buffalo Board of Education.

This resignation is under provision 12C (Termination by Agreement between Chief of Strategic Alignment and the Superintendent”) of my current contract, dated July 3, 2013.

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The following provisions of the contract will be initiated on that date: All unused Vacation Days will be purchased at my daily rate. All unused Sick Days will be purchased using the formula (1/3 times 1/240

times annualized salary. All unused Paid Personal Days will be added to the accumulated Sick Days for

the purpose of payment Fully paid Health Insurance will become effective upon my retirement from

the New York Teacher’s Retirement System.

Sincerely,

Debra S. Sykes

Cc: Darren Brown, Chief of Talent Management Herbert J. Cadle, Director Wage/Salary Administration Mary O’Shei, Benefits Manager