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Money woes will not affect PSS accreditation
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Posted on May 10 1999
Board of Chairman Esther Fleming remains confident that the budgetary constraints confronting the Public School System will not jeopardize the accreditation standing of most schools.
Since last month, various public schools had their mid-term or self-study visits of teams coming from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and money matters were seriously discussed.
Yes, the timing is bad but PSS officials are optimistic that schools will continue to receive their WASC accreditation.
“The spirit and strength of most of our teachers on how they can be able to pull the resources together, I think will outweigh the little money that the schools receive,” Fleming said.
During the recent forum with Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, parents and teachers raised concerns over losing the school’s accreditation standing if support staff will not be renewed.
Janitors and security guards are part of the support staff team and losing both services may threatened the school’s accreditation since it is no longer a safe and healthy place to be in, the group said.
However, Commissioner of Education Rita H. Inos assured the group that an operational number of support staff will be maintained at the school site.
In addition, WASC’s emphasis on learning may again help PSS hurdle such budgetary challenges.
Based on the report made by WASC officials over their visit at Oleai last month, the school has complied with their recommendations and its staff members have remained optimistic despite the on-going austerity program of PSS.
“A lot of our staff have been very helpful and generous. They worked harder to make it a success (the WASC visit) in our school and even though money could be of greater help, yes they are willing to work with the little means that we have,” Fleming added.
