BOE grants Inos 60-day extension

Just when Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos was about to call it quits—having tendered her resignation two weeks ago—the Board of Education has asked Inos to stay for 60 more days.

BOE chair Roman C. Benavente said the board agreed to offer Inos 60 more days of employment, which is similar to what it had given other retirees in the past.

“We waived the six consecutive months separation requirement for you and approved a 60-day employment extension at your current salary level,” said Benavente, adding that during this period, Inos will be asked, among other things, to assist the board to find a permanent replacement for her post.

After eight years of serving the Public School System, Inos said she would retire a second time. The commissioner, who served as the head of the PSS for two four-year terms, filed her letter of intent for early retirement during the Dec. 16 special BOE meeting on Capitol Hill.

The board extended its appreciation for Inos’ dedication and service to PSS as commissioner for the past six years and six months.

“Through your leadership, we have seen the significant improvement in the quality of public education in the CNMI.”

The board said that it will wait for Inos’ decision until Dec. 29.

Inos, based on her appointment, is actually up for retirement in May 2006 but she opted to retire early. She will be working for the PSS until Dec. 31.

She earlier said she would really miss the PSS because she considers her life to be with education.

“Taking it away is like taking a part of my life,” she said.

At the moment, she has no “solid plans yet” as to what she wants to do after “a challenging yet fulfilling life” with the PSS.

Benavente said the board “is deeply indebted to Inos because despite the many challenges the PSS and BOE encountered, we managed to meet and overcome those challenges because of her leadership.”

PSS is now eyeing a number of potential replacements for the outgoing commissioner. Benavente said current associate commissioner for administrative services David M. Borja would serve as acting commissioner when Inos decides to stay without interfering with her retirement benefits. Benavente said it would be the board’s decision to appoint the new commissioner. He admitted earlier that Borja is a strong candidate for the position.