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BOE panel endorses PSS’ whistleblower policy
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Posted on Apr 12 2012
The fiscal and personnel affairs committee of the Board of Education has endorsed a whistleblower policy for Public School System employees.
Committee chair Denise Tanya King said the panel’s decision was reached during yesterday’s meeting. The committee will formally recommend the policy to the full board when it meets next week.
The board was prompted early this year to develop a policy on whistleblowers after member Galvin Deleon Guerrero raised concerns about the ability of PSS employees to come forward with complaints and allegations about inappropriate practices within the school system.
In an earlier interview with Saipan Tribune, Deleon Guerrero said he believes that PSS needs policies and procedures that can protect employees. Such policies, he added, will help hold the school system accountable and prevent any climate of fear from emerging within the system. The issue becomes even more “problematic” if the complaint or allegation pertains to an employee’s supervisor where retaliation is feared by affected employees, he added.
King told Saipan Tribune yesterday that the committee’s approval is in conjunction with existing personnel policy in place for PSS employees. She said a provision under the system’s grievance policy and procedures indicates that employees are allowed to “anonymously” express their concerns. She said no new policy will be created entitling “anonymous” tipsters to come forward and report wrongdoings.
