Most BOE members favor 25 percent funding hike

Board of Education members in favor of the proposed 25 percent increase for the Public School System’s yearly allotment prevailed over those who remain opposed to the legislative initiative.

After revisiting the issue over a board meeting Friday, BOE Member Marja Lee Taitano, Vice Chair Roman Benavente, and Chair Frances Diaz decided to go with the percentage increase, citing that significant reforms in the school system can be accomplished through more funding.

But Member Esther Fleming remains opposed to the legislation. “I cannot justify the 25 percent. I don’t agree that we should change the constitution to amend the current percentage. Tampering could lead to other things. I say we should justify our own needs as we go along,” said Ms. Fleming.

Member Anthony Pellegrino is also pessimistic about the initiative, convinced that money is not always the answer to an better quality of education.

“Though I see a dire need to improve our system, to bring in more experts, fight against child abuse, to reduce class size, I think with the 25 percent, we are robbing the rest of the community their share of funds to address their needs,” Mr. Pellegrino said.

BOE Non Public School Representative Scott Norman also sided with some board members, citing that problems which have stormed the education system especially in the last three years mostly have nothing to do with lack of funding.

Mr. Benavente, who earlier abstained from voting for or against the initiative, has expressed support to increase the budget percentage to 25 percent each year.

He explained that funds are needed in order for CNMI’s education system to meet U.S. standards.

“It’s going to cost us more money to meet those standards,” he said.

The board chair also said that setting the annual allotment at 25 percent will lessen BOE’s efforts in continuing to beg for money from the Legislature.

“It is also their obligation to efficiently fund the school system,” she said.

The proposed 10 percent increase in the Public School System’s yearly budget appropriation could mean an extra $20 million for public education.

Given the projected $211 million CNMI revenues in Fiscal Year 2001, PSS would be entitled to $42.2 million for over-all operations, according to a PSS budget history report.

Projected student enrollment for FY 2001 is 10,000 combining all 16 public schools on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.

In its next budget request, the school system is batting for $45.5 million which would peg education cost per student at $5,150.

This, as the school system readies to hire close to 400 fulltime equivalents if granted its funding request.

The additional FTEs would narrow down the ratio of students per FTE by eight to one, as opposed to the current 12 to one. (MM)