2 top posts remain vacant at PSS; acting HRO quits

Two top management positions at the Public School System have remained unoccupied for about three years now, prompting Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan to order a re-announcement of the posts to attract a greater pool of applicants.

According to PSS, the positions of associate commissioner for administrative services and the finance director have been vacant since the departure of David Borja in 2006 upon assuming the commissioner’s post, while the finance chief post was vacated upon the retirement of Richard Waldo in November of the same year.

Since then, PSS has been trying to get qualified applicants for the positions. Several announcements were made but no one has been hired, either because the applicants are unqualified or there were no applicants at all.

Yesterday, acting human resource officer Ramon Diaz Jr. confirmed that both positions are still vacant and is not expecting them to be filled right away due to the re-announcement instruction from the commissioner.

He said his office is in the process of preparing the new “job vacancy announcements,” which will come out soon.

Serving in acting capacities for both positions are human resource officer Charlie Kenty and acting finance chief Lori Grizzard.

In the latter part of 2008, PSS hired Ed Tenorio as its financial consultant, primarily to work on the system’s financial master plan. His one-year contract is worth $60,000.

Saipan Tribune learned that PSS also stands to lose Diaz himself.

According to Education Board vice chair Herman T. Guerrero, Diaz has tendered his resignation, effective Feb. 6.

Saipan Tribune learned that Diaz will assume the position of human resources officer in the Portland Public School System, which has approximately 50,000 students and about 8,000 employees.

Diaz started serving the system in May 2005. He is currently the acting HRO upon Kenty’s assuming the acting ACAS.

When contacted yesterday, Diaz confirmed his resignation, citing he is truly grateful for the opportunity given him to serve the CNMI’s public schools.

He described the overall experience “fantastic, wide, and varied.”

“I have grown here tremendously. The experience I have working with great leaders of PSS is overwhelming,” he said, adding that he will keep the lines open so he could help PSS in whatever way possible.

He lauded the HR’s participation in establishing progress in the system’s processes, which adheres to the national expectations of the No Child Left Behind Act.

HR anticipates a smooth transition upon the return of Kenty as HR officer.