$1.5M lump sum budget eyed for Kagman school

Budget difficulties may force the Public School System to trim down the number of its teachers starting next school year.

Without additional funding reinforcement from the CNMI government, PSS disclosed it may have to defer from re-hiring teachers and other personnel in school year 2001-2002.

Threats of staff downsizing are probable amid a projected reduction in PSS’ FY 2001 fourth quarter personnel expenses in the absence of funds to operate the newly-opened Kagman Elementary School.

But a proposed legislation that will set aside $1.5 million in lump sum form to support the operations of the new Kagman campus is targeted to rescue the school system from making use of resources specifically allotted for payroll.

House Committee on Education member Rep. Thomas B. Pangelinan said he is prepared to introduce a $1.5 million appropriation bill to finance Kagman school for the current fiscal year.

The congressman’s offer was well-received by PSS, indicating that the lump sum amount will greatly boost the school system’s expenditure capacity.

Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos affirmed the need for the additional resources to avoid the necessity of having to reduce PSS’ FY2001 fourth quarter personnel allotment.

In FY2000, PSS was granted $195,000 in personnel funds to open the new campus last September. But the supplemental resources could only last the school for one month

For Fiscal Year 2001, the school system projects over $1.4 million in personnel allotments for the Kagman school, and additional funds to acquire text books and other operating expenses.

Last year, PSS spent collectively over $2 million to purchase books though only $55,000 was made available.

“The provision of $1.5 million would allow Kagman Elementary School to fully operate without a requirement that PSS redirect funds from other needs to support those students,” said Dr. Inos.

The commissioner added that although PSS has other funding needs to operate DanDan and Sinapalo elementary schools, improve the busing system, and restore the needed full time equivalents, the $1.5 million assistance would eliminate the projected deficit in personnel at the end of the fiscal year.

Dr. Inos said the lump sum appropriation, as proposed by Mr. Pangelinan, would partially restore PSS’ FY 2001 budget back to the level of funding originally authorized by the public law in FY 1999 which was $41.6 million.