‘NMC to get its share in federal stimulus plan’

Besides the Public School System, the Northern Marianas College will also get a portion of the funds intended for CNMI education from President Obama’s stimulus economic package plan, according to CNMI Delegate Gregorio Sablan.

However, compared to the public schools, the islands’ lone tertiary institution’s share will be limited to trainings and programs that would help build the local workforce and local capacities.

“NMC will also get a share [from the stimulus package]. However, this will not be as big as what PSS is expecting to receive,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune yesterday.

The CNMI delegate to Congress said the “millions of funds” to be provided to the CNMI was a result of the good efforts of the U.S. education committee headed by Rep. George Miller. “I am very grateful to Congressman Miller,” he told Saipan Tribune.

NMC recently suspended its apprenticeship program due to a funding shortfall. Other certificate programs considered inactive were also put on hold.

Although the intended funds for NMC is not that big, Sablan is confident that it would help address some of the college’s needs in terms of trainings and workshops.

Saipan Tribune learned that Sablan, who is on island for a week, will meet with PSS and Board of Education officials on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

In an interview yesterday, BOE vice chairman Herman T. Guerrero disclosed that PSS has yet to make a plan for the upcoming stimulus assistance.

“Until we know fully well the specifics on how we are going to use these funds [based on the intent of the bill], PSS cannot plan at this time,” he said.

New elementary and high schools are being proposed for Kagman and Marpi under the 7-Year Strategic Plan of PSS.

However, citing the limitations of the stimulus bill’s purpose, Guerrero is not convinced that the stimulus money can be used for building these new schools.

“We need to figure it out…and [that’s] the reason [why] we want to meet with the congressman. To ask some specific details about these funds,” he said.

PSS is presently operating on a $35 million budget, covering both personnel and “all others” expenses.

Guerrero believes that more CNMI children will benefit from the assistance through various programs.

PSS earlier expressed its wish to expand some programs like Kindergarten and special education. However, limited funding prevented PSS from doing so.