Guerrero re-elected as BOE chair

Herman T. Guerrero remains as the chairman of the CNMI Board of Education after an election held last Thursday.

Guerrero was unanimously voted by the members of the board at the meeting held at the Public School System Emergency Operations Center at Capitol Hill.

“I want to thank the members for electing me again for another term,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero, who has been part of the board for almost the past 14 years, said this was his last term as a member of the board.

“I hope the existing board members and those that will continue on will carry on the accomplishment and milestones that education has moved,” Guerrero said.

“What I’m glad about my term all these years is that we have elevated the student and support services as well as accountability aspect of PSS. It is something that, since I came on board, I kept pushing the commissioner back then and now everything is falling into place,” he added.

Guerrero said he will continue to work closely with other board members with regards to their policies.

“I intend closely with the board members and review our policies in place and look in terms of what needs to be upgraded or strengthened in all the different committees and regulations,” Guerrero said.

“Hopefully we still believe in our slogan of ‘Students first.’ And we need to do whatever it takes to help the students and hopefully their career path,” he added.

For vice chair, the board elected Tanya King, replacing MaryLou S. Ada for the said position.

King commended PSS for its role in recovery after the devastation of Typhoon Soudelor.

“The devastation that this community went through was beyond comprehension and I just would like to commend the commissioner and all the principals, the parents and all those involved…for everything that you have done to bring stability to the children’s lives and to start the school off,” King said.

“I know this was a tremendous undertaking and you pulled it off and it’s just a testament to Saipan’s incredibly strong, resilient and truly, truly amazing,” she added.

Janice Tenorio was re-elected as the secretary/treasurer of the board.

Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan thanked the prior board officers as well as welcomed the officers in their new term.

“As we move into the term of the new officers of the board, I certainly do continue to look forward in the assistance that you can give us in our effort to ensure quality education for all children,” Sablan said.

“I’m very happy with the composition of the board,” she added.

Other members of the board are Florine Hofschneider as well as non-public school representative Galvin Deleon Guerrero and student representative Angelly Marie Guiang, who are appointed members.