3 education officials fly to DC

Three Public School System officials flew to Washington, D.C. yesterday to meet with the U.S. House of Representatives’ Education Committee chairman and perhaps even secure an audience with President Obama.

Local PSS officials hope to talk with the U.S. president about the CNMI’s share in the stimulus economic package that will go through public schools.

Board of Education vice chair Herman T. Guerrero yesterday confirmed that the travel of Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan, along with two other officials, is slated from Feb. 24 through March 1.

Sablan flew to the U.S. mainland with PSS federal programs Tim Thornburgh and financial consultant Ed Tenorio.

Guerrero said the trip was an invitation extended by the White House to Sablan and other chief executives of public schools in all U.S. states.

“The commissioner has been invited—along with other chiefs of education in other states—to attend a meeting at the White House and perhaps with the new president of U.S. The main agenda is the stimulus money that the U.S. president wants for public education,” Guerrero said, adding that the CNMI commissioner’s group had prepared information and documentation that may help them in their negotiations with U.S. officials.

Last week, CNMI Delegate Gregorio Sablan met on island with education officials and Board of Education members.

Although the meeting didn’t tackle specifics of the stimulus plan, Guerrero said it was a positive development for public schools as the package intends to bring progress to education.

“We need to start moving the packet together. We also need some guidelines and some direct assistance from the top education officials…that’s the reason we’re counting on this trip of the commissioner,” Guerrero said.

In an e-mail to Saipan Tribune this week, Board of Education chair Lucy Blanco-Maratita said the board had instructed the PSS leadership to work on a plan on how the stimulus money will be utilized by CNMI PSS.

“The PSS leadership is working on reviewing the law, the PSS projects, and prioritizing them. Then they will refer their recommendations to the board for action. We expect that PSS will complete their tasks within two weeks as we need to move fast on the stimulus package,” Blanco-Maratita said.

Saipan Tribune learned that the travel expenses of the commissioner, along with the federal program officer and financial consultant, will amount to approximately $13,000.

The amount, which will be sourced from the innovative assistance program of the federal government, covers the per diem allowance of the three officials.

Named acting commissioner of education yesterday was Jackie Quitugua, who is also PSS’ associate commissioner for instruction and curriculum.