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BOE argues for control of purse
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Posted on Jan 13 1999
The Board of Education is seeking spending authority for up to $32 million in combined local and federal funds, which finance construction of schools.
That means stripping the mayors of Tinian and Rota of that authority.
The BOE adopted a resolution yesterday and argued the Public School System should get to plan and carry out its projects.
The projects include the construction of a new high school and junior high school on Saipan, as well as the opening of new schools on Tinian, Rota and Northern Islands.
The 702 task force had decided that the mayors of Tinian and Rota would have expenditure authority for projects in their islands, said Andy Smith, technical services director of the Department of Public Works, in yesterday’s CIP Committee meeting.
BOE Chairman Marja Lee Taitano cites her reasons why PSS should have control over the funds: it raises the matching funds, the projects are to be built on PSS properties and PSS will manage them after they are complete.
Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos proposed a meeting with the mayors to discuss the issue. BOE Member Esther Fleming agreed.
The projects might begin by February, the same time PSS expects its $16 million loan released to match CIP funds.
