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BOE suspends PSS education leave
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Posted on May 14 1999
The Board of Education yesterday approved the suspension of training and education leave privileges in the Public School System until such time that the local financial condition improves.
Although an earlier memorandum was sent out by Commissioner of Education Rita H. Inos informing all PSS staff that request for both leaves will not be approved, the advise needed the official concurrence from the board.
The suspension, however, will apply to recent requests and will not affect the employees who have been in the education leave status as of last year.
The PSS Human Resources Office has only listed less than 10 individuals who are on sabbatical leave to complete their B.A. in education.
Prior to its adoption, a discussion over the impact of this suspension was first heard on the floor. The PSS maintains memorandum of understanding with some of its employees, particularly teacher aides, requiring graduates of associate degrees to continue with their college education.
Board chairman Esther Fleming offered to resolve this issue through its collaborative efforts with the Board of Regents. She said PSS can pursue the request to offer education courses at the Northern Marianas College after working hours. Officials from PSS are set to meet the Board of Regents this month.
But the fiscal budget appropriated for PSS next year will require both certified and non-certified personnel to be on board.
“PSS is now faced in a situation whereby the effect of our financial crisis is now impacting the Training and Educational Leave benefit,” Inos said in a memorandum.
With its on-going austerity program, the PSS came under fire following reports over its “excessive” spending in travels outside the CNMI.
Although most of those travels were made in relation to attending training and workshops, they cost PSS over $400,000 for a span of one year. The Board promptly suspended off-island travels.
