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50 teachers to leave PSS this month
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Posted on Jun 11 1999
San Vicente School yesterday honored some 13 teachers who are scheduled to leave the Public School System this month. The group included those teachers who moved to Dandan Elementary School but decided not to renew after their contracts expired.
The school’s fitting ceremony to recognize their contributions in the education of the children in the CNMI will be shared by the other campuses on Saipan, Tinian and Rota.
Earlier, PSS officials estimated to see the departure of some 50 teachers. However, this number is growing and may reach to 100 based on the number of resignations from schools.
On Saipan alone, majority of the 11 schools have reportedly lost at least 10 teachers this month.
Although, this year’s belt-tightening measures have allegedly created more frustrations on teachers, PSS has high attrition rate record even during good times.
According to Susan Horvath, one of the teachers in San Vicente who called it quits, she made the decision to leave Saipan even before the austerity measures started.
One teacher said with or without the austerity, she’s still hesitant to stay. Her colleagues are likewise leaving not because of the money issue.
“I like it here a lot but I am leaving for family reasons. I have to bring my children to their grandparents, ” said Tom Kinsky, who stayed in CNMI for five years.
“We would like to start a family,” said Tom Young, who got married last year and decided not to renew after his two years contract expired this June.
However, their frustrations showed when they were asked to recommend ways to improve PSS.
“Maintain a clear communication from central office to the schools so there won’t be so much of guessing on our part,” Young said.
“Keep the size class down in the lower grades,” added Kinsky. The Board suspended the mandated class size last year when money problems started.
“They need to really get the best teachers to teach in the lower grades,” Horvath said.
