Competing petitions duke it out

Two dueling petitions—one that supports the appointment of Cynthia Deleon Guerrero as Public School System commissioner and another that opposes it—have been launched on change.org.

As of 8pm last night, 140 have signed the petition to support Deleon Guerrero, while 25 have signed the petition against her.

The Board of Education has scheduled an emergency meeting today to discuss the matter.

The change.org petition that supports Deleon Guerrero’s appointment is available at:

https://www.change.org/p/teacherslife670-gmail-com-support-the-cnmi-board-of-education-s-selection-of-cynthia-deleon-guerrero-as-commissioner?recruiter=636456890&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink.

The petition against Deleon Guerrero is at:

https://www.change.org/p/against-the-cnmi-board-of-education-s-selection-of-cynthia-deleon-guerrero-as-commissioner?recruiter=636729416&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink.

BOE chair Herman Guerrero was earlier close-mouthed on the issue, saying he will disclose his sentiments on the matter in today’s board meeting. Guerrero also hopes to resolve the issue today.

While several people are for Deleon Guerrero, most of those that were interviewed by Saipan Tribune were against the appointment, claiming that the selection process was fixed.

Sources claimed that three out of five members of the BOE voted for Deleon Guerrero during the selection process: Janice A. Tenorio, Marylou S. Ada, and Tanya R. King. Many teachers are demanding an answer as to why she was voted for in the first place.

Those that disagreed with the appointment claimed they had nothing against Deleon Guerrero but just wish for a transparent selection process. Many teachers questioned her qualifications compared to the other candidates, Ignacia Demapan and Glenn Muna, who have both doctorate degrees. Deleon Guerrero had a master’s degree.

A concerned PSS teacher, Alisa Pangelinan, wrote an open letter to Guerrero, demanding that the decision be rescinded, saying the selection process had a conflict of interest.

Pangelinan also stated in the letter that the matter could be elevated to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on the grounds of discriminatory practices.

Pangelinan pointed out in the letter that there was a conflict in proper work ethic because Deleon Guerrero was the PSS’ director of Human Resources during her selection.

Pangelinan stated in her letter that she, and a few others, were ready to pursue legal actions due to the board’s hiring practices.

“We will charge each individual board member who voted for her and call for each member’s resignation because of the board’s misconduct in their discriminatory action,” Pangelinan wrote.

A board meeting to address the issue would be held today at the PSS’ federal programs conference room, building 1203, on Capital Hill.