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PSS’ Sablan: There is no money to pay CUC
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Posted on Sep 27 2008
Even if the Public School System owes the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.$1.8 million—which Education Commissioner Rita Sablanhas repeatedly denies—the school system will not be able to pay the debt until a new fiscal year begins on Wednesday.
CUC executive director Antonio Muña has said PSS owes $1.8 million in past debt and was expecting the payment by the end of September. On Wednesday, Muna revised the deadline to the beginning of October. The money, along with $1.6 million that Muña said is overdue from the central government, will help finance the $6 million Aggreko generators. A payment of $504,000 is due to Aggreko in two weeks.
Sablan has repeatedly said that, according to PSS’ records, the school system is up to date with its payments.
“It’s just unfair to remit payments we do not believe we owe,” Sablan said.
There is no money available under the current budget to pay for the possible debt, and there won’t be any additional money until a new fiscal year begins, she said.
As it is, Sablan said she has to determine where money can be saved.
“Many, many bills come to my office,” she said. “I have to ask, ‘how can I budget schools in a creative way?’”
In July, PSS reallocated $1.6 million from their personnel budget and “all others” budget to CUC after Finance Secretary Eloy Inos became involved in the situation.
Both Muña and Sablan say they are planning to meet and reconcile records.
Also, Muña said he has been in communication with Inos about the $1.6 million from the central government.
