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Teachers face layoffs, gov’t warns
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Posted on Feb 22 1999
More than 200 teachers, or half of teaching workforce in public schools, are facing potential layoff because of the continuing financial difficulties confronting the administration, according to a government report.
The report, presented by the governor’s financial advisor on finance and budget, Michael S. Sablan, to US congressional delegates, says the employment contracts of these teachers may not be renewed due to shrinking cash.
According to Sablan, resource projections for the current fiscal year may have to be revised downward because of the expected 25 percent decline in revenues that would come from the garment industry.
Garment leaders say their US buyers have scaled down orders after the filing of $1 billion lawsuit stemming from alleged abuses of foreign workers.
In the worst case scenario, the island government may end up collecting $118 million for the current fiscal year, and may be forced to cut jobs and shut down key services provided to the community.
The Public School System needs some $34.3 million to cover salaries and benefits of teachers and personnel under its payroll. A huge chunk of the budget is for teachers and instructors while the rest is for administrative and Headstart personnel and special education. Money for operations represents a mere $3.4 million.
Under the original appropriation of $42 million, budget allocated to PSS dropped to $36 million.
However, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has provided additional funding to PSS because of its growing needs, pitching in close to $2 million to the agency’s coffers.
