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Guerrero re-elected anew to BOE top post
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Posted on Jan 19 2014
Herman T. Guerrero was chosen anew by his peers to take the helm of the State Board of Education in the Commonwealth.
This year marks Guerrero’s fourth time to lead the board and his 13th year of continuously serving the Public School System.
In brief remarks, he expressed gratitude to his fellow members for continuously entrusting him with their vote of confidence.
Lucy Blanco-Maratita, who was elected vice chair, and Janice Tenorio, who was chosen as the body’s secretary and treasurer, also got the unanimous vote of their peers
The board elects a new set of officers each year. Other voting members of the board are Marylou Ada and Denise Tanya King.
In an interview with Saipan Tribune Friday, Guerrero reaffirmed his commitment to fulfill the role expected of him as a BOE member.
Under his new leadership term, Guerrero said that finding more funds for school programs remain on top of his priority list. He also vowed to work collaboratively with the education commissioner, the Legislature and the Executive Branch.
Guerrero acknowledged that BOE and PSS remain challenged by funding issues this school year as a result of competing interests for local funds.
“But I hope that our leaders this time around understand that they need to have stronger commitment in educating kids of the Commonwealth,” he added.
Public schools made great strides last year. Among the significant achievements in 2013 is PSS’ accreditation with the North Central Association and the creation of an evaluation mechanism for the COE and staff through board policies.
PSS—at the behest of BOE—also established the leadership institute to give in-house employees an opportunity to become school administrators. Also mentioned is the compliance of many of the audit findings for PSS.
The historic Pacific Education Conference, Guerrero said, was also notable. The success of PSS in securing additional federal monies for schoolchildren and the academic success of students cannot be ignored.
“These and other remarkable things that happened for our school system are indications that we’re moving on the right direction,” said Guerrero.
