Binghamton City School Superintendent Marion Martinez said the Board of Education will have to determine whether she's the best person to lead the district.

Binghamton City School District Superintendent Marion Martinez during an "Binghamton Now" radio interview on January 14, 2016. (Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Binghamton City School District Superintendent Marion Martinez during a "Binghamton Now" radio interview on January 14, 2016. (Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Martinez, in her second interview on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program in less than a week, expressed no specific regrets over things she's done since she took the job just over three years ago.

The superintendent acknowledged the school district now is "in a very sad state." She said she feels "very badly about that, personally and professionally."

The unions representing teachers and administrators have called on the school board to dismiss Martinez. Some parents also have called for her replacement.

Martinez noted when she became superintendent in 2013, "Binghamton schools were performing in the lowest ten percent of districts" in New York state. She said the city school district has many of the same challenges that some of the state's largest school systems are facing.

The superintendent said she was hired by the school board "specifically to be a change agent." She repeated her assertion that there have been indications that progress is being made in city schools.

Although some teachers and administrators are unhappy and upset with some changes that have been made, Martinez said she believes "we must stay the course."

Martinez was asked whether she can work with people who don't want to work with her. She said: "That's my job. I certainly want to... but it has to be a reciprocal situation where everyone is committed."

Martinez said she has not considered resigning. She said: "I committed myself to Binghamton city schools and I pledge to work tirelessly to see the change through, see ourselves through this transition phase."

At the end of the half-hour interview, Martinez was asked whether she still wants the job. "I am still superintendent."

LISTEN to the interview which was broadcast live on March 21, 2016.

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

More From WNBF News Radio 1290 AM & 92.1 FM