Most schools’ budget for instruction remains unutilized

Three members of the CNMI State Board of Education have expressed concern on how funds allocated for student instruction are being handled by the Public School System, revealing that “a big chunk” of schools’ budget for this purpose remains unutilized to date—just over a month left to the closing of the school year 2013-2014.

This was the sentiment shared by BOE vice chair Lucy Blanco-Maratita and members Marylou Ada and Tanya King during Friday’s special board meeting.

A case in point, Ada said, is the San Vicente Elementary School, which, according to her, hasn’t spent yet its $47,000 allocation for student instruction this school year. Ada disclosed that most schools have similar amounts that remain untapped.

Saipan Tribune learned that under the U.S. Department of Education’s consolidated grant for PSS, a portion is allocated for public and private schools under the Title I funds. These monies are specifically intended for students’ instructional needs and related services. PSS uses per child cost as the basis to determine how much each school will get from Title I funds.

Ada specifically inquired from federal programs officer Tim Thornburgh if the “unspent funds of a school” is being carried over to the next school year.

Thornburgh said some schools “save” their Title I funds or portions of it up to the end of the school year to increase their expected funding for the next year. He also disclosed that Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan could extend this unspent funds to the school as long as she deems it necessary.

Blanco-Maratita pointed out, however, that if this is how many schools are treating their yearly funds, this seems to be a disservice to the students.

“If you still have a big chunk remaining [on the account] and it is not being put to use, aren’t we…doing a disservice to current student population if schools are not spending them? I am assuming that the money is spared because it is based on their needs but by saving it to the end of the school year, what’s the benefits of waiting [for the end of the SY]?” asked Blanco-Maratita, adding that it is her understanding that schools, prior to the start of classes, already know what they will need for the year and this funding is provided to fill those needs.

Echoing Blanco-Maratita, Ada this practice of allowing schools to carry over the money to the next school year “shows a lack of planning [by principals)]. Because when you know that you’re getting this year $275,000 you should have a ready plan how to use it for this year…if not, you’re really cheating the students enrolled in that year if the money will be used for next school year.”

King disclosed that this untimely spending of schools budget has been going on for many years.

Education Commissioner Sablan explained that all principals submit plans on how they will use their school appropriation each year. These submissions, she said, are reviewed by a panel.

It was learned that 40 percent of these Title I funds are to be used for help students who are struggling; another 40 percent will be spent on students who are meeting the requirements; and 20 percent is allocated for the school’s technology.

Sablan said there are many RFPs (request for proposals) and purchase orders that are currently being processed. All these, she said, will tap Title I funds.

Additionally, Sablan said that many schools may also spend their funds in the fourth quarter or during the summer period for their after-school programs.

Sablan assured the board that PSS is closely tracking all these accounts.