Borja recommended Jackie Quitugua, the associate commissioner for instruction and curriculum, to serve as commissioner until the board finds his replacement.
BOE Vice Chairman Herman T. Guerrero said their June 2 letter to Borja “basically asked for his resignation or else his contract will be terminated” today, June 4.
“He has until Wednesday to respond,” Guerrero said yesterday, adding that the board has already lost confidence in Borja’s ability to run PSS.
The board will announce a vacancy for the commissioner’s position and designate Borja’s temporary replacement.
“To run PSS, we need to look at somebody who has a vision and a risk-taker — we’re looking at someone who is a leader,” Guerrero said.
Borja received BOE’s letter while he was on Rota.
Yesterday, he told Variety that he was retiring and not resigning.
He will notify BOE today about his retirement.
“I want to retire and I didn’t really resign,” he said. “I am going ahead to step down as commissioner so that I can avail of my retirement opportunity because I guess I am qualified to retire.”
Borja said he has no regrets.
“I am a public servant,” he said. “I want the best for the public schools. I don’t want to make any upsetting or disturbing situations. The system needs to move forward and if PSS still needs my service, I am more than willing to serve.”
Borja is willing to be a classroom teacher again if a principal will hire him.
A turnover ceremony is scheduled today in his office so he can say goodbye to his staff and other PSS employees.
“I wish the best of luck to BOE in the hiring of a new commissioner for our schools and I would like to thank them for allowing me to serve for two years,” Borja said.
It was on Thursday when BOE met and discussed Borja’s four-year contract, which is set to expire in 2010.
