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PSS studying impact of expiration of umbrella permits
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Posted on Oct 21 2011
The Public School System is studying the impact of the expiration of umbrella permits on its staffing and student population to help it prepare for any negative effect it may have on the system.
During a recent Board of Education meeting, PSS officials disclosed that about 47 PSS personnel may be affected by the full implementation of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act, which federalized CNMI immigration, on Nov. 28, 2011. Foreign nationals who are out of status after Nov. 28 may face deportation pursuant to the mandate of the new immigration policy on foreign workers.
PSS employs over 1,000 personnel, of which about 300 are federally funded. A total of 464 are classroom teachers on three islands.
Education officials disclosed that the 47 personnel who would be affected by the expiration of umbrella permits are those with immediate relative status and majority of them are support staff. The matter was further discussed during the board’s executive session.
PSS legal counsels Kelly Butcher and George Hasselbach said at the meeting that, like other government agencies and private organizations, the school system also attended the public education campaign of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
System officials could not say at this time if the expiration of umbrella permits would have a negative effect on the enrollment this school year.
Garapan Elementary School principal Paulette Sablan earlier said that the school may experience a reduction in its enrollment following conversation with some parents that they may be forced to leave the island with their children after Nov. 28. These are parents who lost their jobs and have not succeeded in finding new ones.
During the meeting, Board of Education chair Marylou Ada inquired about the potential number of students who may leave the system because of the expiration of umbrella permits.
Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan said that figures have yet been determined as the matter is still being studied.
