BOE: All-out support for new administration

The Board of Education said it would fully support the new administration as long as governor-elect Benigno R. Fitial backs them up on their needs.

BOE chair Roman C. Benavente told Saipan Tribune yesterday that, as an elected board official, he would do his “very best” to prioritize education and its needs.

“The board has pledged to work with the new administration,” he said, adding that all members are hopeful that the new administration would continue its efforts to help the Public School System.

Benavente said it is his hope that improving PSS would be part of the new governor’s mission and vision for the CNMI. He said he is confident that PSS is part of the agenda for the next four years since all candidates mentioned PSS and its welfare during election campaigns and public debates.

“I have the feeling that they will continue to help and support us. Others might say that the new administration is not pro-education but we know that it will be,” he said, adding that the BOE and the PSS would work together as diligently as possible with the new administration.

The board chair said as long as he is in the leadership of the PSS, he would continue conducting dialogues with the local government. “We welcome the new administration.”

Benavente said the board still faces challenges in meeting the financial requirements for school operations, referring to the suspended approval of the $50 million budget proposal for the PSS for school year 2005-2006.

He said he is confident that the incoming governor knows the financial needs of the school system. It was Fitial who led House lawmakers in passing House Bill 14-371, which approved the entire $50 million budget request of the school system.

“I know that he [Fitial] knows it because he passed it in the Legislature and they did their best,” Benavente said.

He extended his congratulations to newly elected board members Herman T. Guerrero and Lucy Blanco-Maratita.

Guerrero, a re-electionist for Saipan, won hands down over opponent John Joyner, while Maratita had a close fight with educator Don Farrell to represent Tinian.

The board chair seemed overjoyed with the reelection of Guerrero. “He is a good guy to work with and I respect him a lot and he has contributed to the decision-making in the board.”

Benavente said the board would give newcomer Maratita its full support and said it would not take her long to adjust to her new post.

“I extend my helping hand to her to guide her and give whatever she needs,” he said.