Investigate me, investigate the BOE

To Gov. Juan N. Babauta

First, I want you to know that I am truly grateful that you are going to investigate this matter and I have nothing to hide. However, the Board of Education, in their request for my removal, have finally opened the door for not only my activities to be reviewed but their own behavior in dealing with the BOE Teacher Representative—the old foot in the mouth phenomenon. As you know, I have been trying to get to your office, the Attorney General and the Public Auditor to help me with my complaints about the board’s unethical conduct but BOE’s autonomous status has stood in the way and tied your agents’ hands. I have letters from the AG, the Public Auditor and the Equal Opportunity Officer, all of which indicate I have a “legal” complaint that is beyond their scope to address. The inability of these agents of the government to address the “ethical behavior” of the board clearly demonstrates there is no accountability system in place for the board members, which means we are asking BOE to police themselves and I’m sure you know what that means and what that has lead to on the board—I’m holding them accountable and they hate it.

This is golden opportunity for your office to complete the process of establishing the proper “precedents” for the BOE Teacher Rep and for the board to follow for years to come. This is “new” territory but we still have the basic principles of government and ethics to base decisions on because there is no existing policy or law(s) to govern the BOE Teacher Rep separately from other BOE members and there shouldn’t be. In fairness to myself, I hope you will view it as my right to work with your office to address the issues the board has raised and to address all the concerns I have brought to the attention of various agents under your Executive Office. The board can’t just have it their way alone because for me to be investigated, they must also be investigated. I don’t think the people of the CNMI would want it any other way. I can’t explain how happy I am that you have decided to investigate, especially when the board writes one letter and gets an investigation and I’ve written dozens complaining and nothing was done, which is why we are where we are today.

The results of your investigation will indeed establish precedents and bring about an understanding with a resolution to the “differences of opinions” on the functions and rights of the BOE Teacher Rep, which are the bases of the conflict. I’m willing to accept any determination that I was wrong but so must BOE because I’m sure that I will be vindicated once you have conducted your impartial review of BOE’s complaints and that BOE will be “admonished” for their poor decision-making when you review my complaints.

I’m really looking forward to working with your office and resolving this matter and thanks for your continuous support of teachers and the education system.

Ambrose M. Bennett
BOE Teacher Representative