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PSS prepares for the worst for 2000
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Posted on Feb 04 1999
Board Member Anthony Pellegrino yesterday asked Commissioner of Education Rita H. Inos to use the 15 percent constitutional guarantee as a point of reference in plotting next year’s budget for the Public School System.
Using the $200,000 million figure as the projected revenue of the CNMI government, PSS will expect to secure $34 million to run schools next year.
“That’s a scenario and a point to start with,” he said.
This figure could go up or down but PSS should work around these projected revenues.
Pellegrino then asked Legal Counsel Tim Connor if the educational mandate of PSS also covers free bus services and text books. The Board can look into cutting off some of the add-on services since PSS will not be in the position to sustain them.
“The legislature will probably want to see us beggars look like beggars but I won’t beg for a nickel. I want to shock them,” he said.
Board Chairman Esther Fleming also asked Inos to define the parameters for PSS to declare a crisis which will warrant decisions to shut off schools.
Like the 35 students per class is an example of a critical situation, she said.
Inos told the Board that she has been requesting school principals to list their priorities. Names of people who are most useful for the schools will make up the staffing list for next year.
“This is a challenging time for everyone,” she said.
The Board is also pushing for the professional services contracts which will also bring about savings for PSS.
