The PSS incentive pay: Why I want to wait

Teachers will get their bonus. Trust me. The only question is “When”?

In a previous board meeting, we were told there was money for everybody, including the bus drivers, maintenance, and support staff. Of course, I was in favor of everybody receiving their bonuses. However, in the last meeting, they told us that only the teachers, librarians, counselors, vice principals, and principals will be receiving their increases. To that I firmly said “no.” I really want everyone in the Public School System to have a great holiday season. My own children, who are teachers, have been opposed to this, too. As much as I want my children to have bonuses to spend for Christmas, I must think about all the families in PSS, not just my own.

I grew up with the mentality that if there is not enough food to share with everyone, then it is not polite to eat in front of the others. In this situation, it is not polite to give a bonus of $2,000-$3,000 to teachers, librarians, counselors, vice principals, and principals, who may earn upwards of $40,000-$90,000 a year, while we neglect to give at least $500 to the bus drivers, maintenance, administrative staff, and school aides, who may be only earning $25,000 a year.

I believe that teachers are the heart of a school but a heart without hands and feet cannot function correctly. The maintenance, administrative staff, school aides, and bus drivers are part of the hands and feet of our PSS body. If we are to affirm that PSS is one big family, we need to make sure everyone has enough to eat before you can get a second serve.

Let it be known to all that the incentive grant expires June of 2020. Therefore, there is still time for everyone to have their slice of the share. If the money for the support staff never comes in, I will go ahead and support the dispersal among the teachers and principals. I do not want to waste free money from a federal grant, but we have to try to help everyone, especially those who are most in need. While we wait for more funding to help all our employees, we should use these current funds to start repairing the broken schools and fulfill the promise we made to our kids: “Students First.”

I kindly and humbly ask for your understanding and patience with this critical issue. I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to all the administrators and teachers for all that you do.

Andrew L. Orsini
Member, CNMI State Board Of Education