Babauta supports PSS supplemental budget

Gov. Juan N. Babauta said he fully supports the Public School System’s request for $700,000 additional budget request to address the projected shortfall this fiscal year.

“I’m not personally aware of it, but I’ve always been supportive of PSS’ funding increase. I’ve always said that we need to fund education. We’ve got to invest in this area if we want to see improved quality of life in our community,” he said.

A measure is pending at the House of Representatives calling for the reprogramming of $700,000 for PSS.

House Joint Resolution 14-32 seeks to provide $200,000 for payment of 313 PSS teachers’ annual leave; $100,000 for payment of security guards; $100,000 for school bus repairs and maintenance; $50,000 for fuel of buses; $40,000 for trash collection; and $210,000 for minor repair and maintenance in schools prior to the fall opening of schools this year.

PSS said in a letter to the Legislature that the needed amount is the budget shortfall for FY 2005.

PSS receives $37.2 million under the continuing resolution.

“We have no more funds to open school in August. We need your help now and are asking for a piecemeal budget at a net of $700,000 over our $37.2 million ceiling,” said Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos and Board of Education chair Roman C. Benavente.

Lawmakers referred the pending resolution to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Education Committee for further review.

Some House members noted that aside from local funds, PSS also gets a substantial amount of federal grants—about $25 million every fiscal year.

Further, they cited that PSS stands to get $5.1 million every year for four years beginning this year from Compact impact funds, as promised by Babauta. The Compact money can be used for repair and maintenance of schools.

At the same time, the administration seeks to provide PSS its entire budget request of $50 million for FY 2006.

In their letter, Inos and Benavente said that local dollars made available for public education has declined by over $1,400 per child and is $3,500 below the national level.

Further, they noted that PSS has expanded over the last six years, yet its funding remains at the same level.

PSS opened five new schools and increased enrolment by 2,000 in the last six years. Right now, PSS has 11,630 students enrolled in 20 schools.