PSS: Schools’ ETC, fundraising accounts well-accounted for

The Public School System has a well-accounted record of all schools’ education tax credit donations and proceeds of all fundraising activities to ensure that monies are spent wisely and objectively by individual school principals.

PSS finance director Richard Waldo said the system adheres to all policies in place to promote accountability in all schools.

He explained that ETC donations and fundraising money have separate accounts-both regularly monitored by the school fiscal and budget office. Pursuant to PSS policy, the school principal can request for the disbursement of the monies intended for his/her school from PSS to cover for immediate needs of students such as toiletries, repairs, procurement of supplies, among others.

Each school year, PSS generates about $150,000 in total educational tax credit donations for all schools and over $100,000 in fundraising events, Waldo said. The amount for individual school accounts varies, depending on the efforts exerted by schools in their fundraising activities.

Waldo emphasized that no single penny is being used for any other purpose other than what it is intended for schools. Due to families’ tight budget and ongoing austerity measures in both the government and the private sector, Waldo said that PSS is very careful when approving fundraising events. He said activities sponsored and organized by the school’s PTSA are the ones that are usually approved.

This school year, Saipan Southern High School may have the biggest fundraiser for the London trip of its Manta Ray Band in July 2012.

“The biggest campaign this year may be for the SSHS’ Manta Band, which will raise funds for their Olympic trip next year,” said Waldo.

SSHS principal Jesse Tudela told Saipan Tribune that the band has raised over $20,000 for the trip so far. The school, which intends to bring 40 band members to the event, will need $300,000 for the trip.

Last Wednesday, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan told SSHS students that he will donate 200 seedlings that they in turn can sell to sponsors for $100 per seedling. The band is also counting on the $15,000 pledge of Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos and $10,000 pledge of Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan.

Last week, Tudela sealed an agreement with Global Education Oriented School of Korea to hold a joint concert in July 2012. All proceeds will go directly to the local band.