PSS is awarded over $20M in CARES Act funds

The Public School System was officially awarded over $20 million from the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act and is expected to receive the funds as soon as next week.

According to Education Commissioner Dr. Alfred Ada, the news that PSS is entitled to $22.3 million from the CARES Act is a huge relief considering the financial struggles PSS has been facing,

“I’m elated, I’m very happy. This has been my prayer all along. This ensures that my people get paid. Boy, did it come and above and beyond,” he said.

Ada said that all required documents and the application have been submitted and received by the U.S. Department of Education and PSS is expected to receive the funding sometime next week.

On top of the additional funding for PSS, the U.S. Department of Education has formally informed Gov. Ralph DLG Torres that $5.58 million has been allocated for the CNMI under the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund.

Torres said he will be working closely with Board of Education chair Janice Tenorio, Ada, Northern Marianas College Board of Regents chair Charles V. Cepeda and interim NMC president Frankie Eliptico to get this funding out to teachers, students, and staff as soon as possible.

“[This is to] ensure that funding gets to the students, teachers, and staff for distance learning resources, as well as addressing the COVID-19 budget shortfall to pay for salaries and operations,” Torres said.

Initially, the CNMI, Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were not on the initial list of emergency education allocations to the territories, with the exception of Puerto Rico.

“An error was made during the formulation of this critical aid to PSS and NMC and has disenfranchised our students in the CNMI. Congress and our delegate must correct this inequality in benefits. Students in the CNMI should not be treated any less important than those throughout the [United] States and Puerto Rico,” he said.

Last Tuesday, U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos wrote Torres in response to his requests for emergency education funding, assuring him that the CNMI will receive the aid it needs to continue to provide public education.

“Thank you for all you are doing to lead [the] Northern Mariana Islands through this unprecedented national emergency. You are making important decisions every day to keep your citizens safe, and you are tackling head on the challenges created by COVID-19 in your communities, workplaces, and schools. While students and educators are facing significant disruptions and obstacles, you play an influential role in ensuring that learning continues for all students,” DeVos wrote.

Torres thanks DeVos for her partnership in assisting the CNMI with this educational relief package.

“I thank President Trump, Secretary DeVos, and our federal partners both in Capitol Hill and in the U.S. Department of Education for their commitment to responding to my requests and for being true partners as we combat this crisis. People and government services are in severe need,” said Torres.