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PSS teachers stop complaining
In the Variety, Aug. 13, the commissioner of PSS states that “of the $40.5 million PSS budget, $31.7 million will go to personnel” which begs the question, why does PSS need more money? The feds give about $35 million every year, so why are you always asking for more money? What do you spend this $76 million on, other than all the off-island trips you guys take?
According to CNMIPSS site…The CNMI Public School System anticipates receiving an estimated $35.6 million dollars in federal program funding for FY15 (Oct. 1, 2014 through Sept. 30, 2015). Approximately, 1/3rd staff FTEs.The remaining 2/3rds fund program operation. The Federal Programs Office (FPO) assisted our 19 public schools and 28 private schools with the development of their Title 1 targeted assistance and school-wide programs. Why are private schools included? They are for profit corporations.
Let’s see now, get my calculator out and, 35X1/3+31.7=43.3. OK. We have 677 (2012-3 report) teachers, aids and councilors, and 201 in administrative. Get my calculator out and 43.3/677+201=49,000. Wow, $49,000/year salary is great pay for teachers in Saipan. What you say? That’s only for teachers with over 10 years of service? Oh! The way I read it, it includes office, maintenance and other non-teaching positions also but that’s the average, and it is an excellent salary for here, or anywhere.
If you aren’t getting $49,000 a year that means someone is getting more, in some cases, way more than you are and you should check it out. It also means to me that you teachers should be doing more for the students than telling them to be quiet, sit down, listen, and obey. You should be on the web daily looking for innovative ideas to introduce in your classrooms instead of pushing your 1950’s agenda on these young people. It’s 2014 people. Commissioner, you know that time, or money, will expand to fill the amount allocated to it. Go on YouTube and find out how school systems are doing more for less with technology.
Gary DuBrall
Chalan Piao
