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NMTI: 5 members a no-show at board meeting
Only two board members showed up at a special meeting of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute board last Friday, Oct. 9, resulting in a lack of quorum that abruptly cancelled the meeting.
Of the seven board members, only Richard Kautz and Deron Mendiola showed up, with latter present virtually. NMTI chief executive officer Agnes McPhetres was also present.
The board meeting was announced last Oct. 7 for a special meeting on Oct. 9 at 10am at the NMTI’s facility. There was no announcement of a cancellation prior to the meeting.
The NMTI board members were to go over new businesses such as NMTI’s reopening plans, alternative funding sources, and review of board chair Mario Valentino’s letter to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres. Both McPhetres and Kautz declined to comment on the line-item vetoes that Gov. Ralph DLG Torres did on the fiscal year 2021 budget, particularly the one that affects NMTI, saying it would be appropriate to wait for the other board members.
According to Saipan Tribune archives, Torres line-item vetoed the CW fund allocation that would have given NMTI and the Northern Marianas College $600,000 and $800,000 respectively for their vocational educational curricula, apprenticeships, or other training programs.
Additionally, the bill would have permitted the transfer of the CW funds to NMTI, provided that $50,000 of the funds is reserved each for Rota’s and Tinian’s training programs. The bill would also allow the transfer of the CW fund to NMC provided that $50,000 of the funds allocated to NMC shall be used for the Nursing Program equipment and supplies.
Another board meeting will be scheduled to talk about new business. Additionally, NMTI board members will also discuss the status of the employees such as annual leaves.
