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Associate commissioner Peter Le’au leaves PSS
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Posted on Jul 12 2011
The Public School System will lose its associate commissioner for administration, Peter James Le’au, after the official decided to leave the system and file for disability retirement.
Le’au and Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan separately confirmed his departure with the Saipan Tribune this week.
Le’au opened the Saipan Southern High School in school year 2002-2003 as its principal, together with his former vice principal, Craig Garrison.
Garrison himself stepped down as principal of Marianas High School last week.
Le’au’s post at the PSS central office was formerly occupied by David Borja, who was later appointed education commissioner to succeed the late Dr. Rita Inos. Since then, it remained vacant until Sablan came aboard as education commissioner in 2008. She named Le’au as new associate commissioner for administration and appointed Garrison as then principal for Saipan Southern High.
Le’au’s office handles the system’s procurement and supply, E-Rate, pupil transportation, food and nutrition, and capital improvement project offices.
Le’au confirmed his retirement with the Saipan Tribune on Friday when he was seen at the NMI Retirement Fund office. It was learned that he once took a medical leave from PSS after suffering a stroke in 2009.
During Monday’s principals’ meeting at Laolao Bay Golf Resort, Sablan said nobody has been named yet to replace Le’au. She said the decision to fill the post will be consulted first with the Education Board.
Both board chair Marylou Ada and member Herman Guerrero hinted that filling the post may not be a priority at this time due to a funding shortfall. They said that Tim Thornburgh may be appointed to the position in an acting capacity, concurrent to his job as federal programs officer.
Saipan Tribune learned that Le’au was among the PSS employees who were issued 90-day notices as a result of failure to meet the highly qualified requirements of the Education Board.
