PSS may lose 90 more employees

Due to the uncertainty of the immediate relative status under federalization, the CNMI Public School System may lose more teachers and other support staff once the law takes effect on June 1.

This was the consensus among school administrators, who asked PSS to look into how the possible impact could be prevented in their schools.

Dandan Elementary School principal Jonas Barcinas on Friday disclosed that approximately 90 teachers may be affected by federalization.

A check with the PSS human resource office yesterday confirmed that as much 96 of its staffing are considered IRs. These include classroom teachers, support staff, and other PSS employees.

“The number is based on conversation with fellow principals. Many of our schools employ teachers whose status are IRs. We’re worried that if they will not be considered, PSS may lose these educators,” Barcinas said.

He said this would compound PSS’ problems in resolving the teacher shortage, considering the difficulty in finding replacements due to resignations and retirements.

In his school, although only a few have IR status, Barcinas believes their absence will still have a big impact. DES is home to 460 students.

Saipan Tribune learned that during a recent principals’ meeting, administrators asked PSS management to act on their plight before it is too late.

At San Vicente Elementary School, principal Joaquina DLG. Salas said her school is among those that could be hit hard by federalization.

“I have teachers who are still in the IR status and I am afraid to lose them once federalization comes in because we need to once again find replacements, which is very hard,” she said.

CNMI law prohibits PSS from hiring non-U.S. citizen employees. Federal representatives have said that come June, only two categories will be issued—immigrant and non-immigrant.

PSS has difficulty in filling all the needed teacher positions due to qualifications and budget issues.

“We raised this concern with PSS and they are aware of it. We were told that management would find more information on the issue,” she said.

Garapan Elementary School principal Yvonne Reyes, said that because of the uncertainty of the IR status, her school stands to lose not only a significant number of its faculty but students as well. GES is home to 791 students.

Saipan Southern High School vice principal Craig Garrison is also worried about the impact of federalization on its student and teacher population. He believes that a lot of his students have IR parents, if not non-immigrant ones.

He also mentioned employing a few teachers who have IR status.

“This is something serious that we need to find a solution… to prevent a more chaotic situation for our schools,” he said, adding he’s encouraging these IRs to work on their papers before it is too late.

Marianas High School principal Karen Borja also acknowledged having some teachers and students who might be affected by the federalization law.

Board of Education vice chair Herman T. Guerrero yesterday said these concerns about IRs have yet to reach the board’s attention.

“We haven’t really looked at it…We will find out from the commissioner some information about this matter,” Guerrero said yesterday.

Guerrero said he may ask the education commissioner for a breakdown of the employees who are in this category and for more details and recommendations.

CNMI Delegate to U.S. Congress Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan recently disclosed that federal lawmakers seem to be unwilling to issue a visa for immediate relatives. They have also yet to act on the CNMI’s request to delay the implementation of the law for 180 days.

Without any delay, Department of Homeland Security will take over local labor and immigration systems starting June 1.