NMC board takes no stance—for now—on Higher Ed Commission proposal

Despite a request from the college management, the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents did not vote to support or oppose a House bill that would essentially declare the Northern Marianas Technical Institute a recipient of public funds.

The bill, H.B. 19-04, would establish a “Higher Education Commission” with the intent of creating charter schools and an “Adult Vocational and Continuing Education Charter School.” The bill names this vocational and charter school to be NMTI.

The college, which previously commented on different versions of this bill, brought the issue to the board on Friday to seek a clear position.

Board regent Elizabeth Rechebai disclosed that that “Legislature is interested to know” the board’s position on the matter.

College president Dr. Sharon Hart called H.B. 19-04 “a critical one,” urging the board to take a stand on it, whether to support, oppose, or remain neutral.

Hart stressed that it needs to be learned “what impact would [the bill] have on” on the college and its fiscal stability.

NMC External Relations director Frankie Elliptico said the previous boards’ direction had been sometimes “nebulous” and urged for a clearer position on the matter.

Regent William Torres disclosed, though, that he learned right before their meeting that the bill they had before them would not be the same one addressed in the future.

He said he was informed that the hearing date had been changed and that the creation of a Higher Ed commission and vocational school would be “separate.”

Torres appeared to oppose the bill, arguing their position against NMTI in the Legislature. Regent Frank Rabauliman also echoed Torres’ stateements.

Both regents stressed the “need to engage other players” like the Public School System and NMTI.

Noting as “definite” the expiration of the contract worker program in 2019, he said, “How are we going to divvy this responsibility” among the different institutions?

Torres also asked how the college’s share of the “contract worker fee” funds are being used. “What did we use it on in year one?” he asked Hart, who said she would have to go look back to find out.

Torres said, “We are going to get hammered” by the Legislature for this fact, which he declined to elaborate on.

Board chair Juan T. Lizama said the “crux” of the matter was: “Do we want another public institution?”

H.B. 19-04 aims to “facilitate technical training and vocational education opportunities by establishing the Higher Education Commission…for purposes of enabling charter schools as well as an adult Vocational and Continuing Education Charter School.”