Previous Story
Public backs 10 percent budget increase for PSS
|
Posted on Apr 26 2000
The public yesterday expressed support to the Legislature’s proposed initiative to increase 10 percent the Public School’s System’s yearly appropriation from its current 15 percent share in the CNMI government’s budget.
At a public hearing by the House Committee on Education yesterday, Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos offered her support for the legislation.
She cited that increased revenues for PSS would enable it to better achieve its goals and missions as established by law.
Board of Education Vice Chair Roman C. Benavente, speaking on speaking on behalf of BOE Chair Frances H. Diaz, also expressed support for the initiative.
But in addition to the efforts being done to include minimum guaranteed budget of 25 percent, school officials are requesting that the appropriation be non-reprogrammable for other purposes.
PSS is asking that any unexpended funds at the end of the fiscal year be carried over to the following year.
Ms. Inos added that such funds shall not be deducted from the following year’s budget but shall be used by the end of that fiscal year or shall be available for re-appropriation.
Oral and written comments were submitted to the House Committee on Education yesterday, all echoing the same sentiments.
Rota High School Principal Jesus A. Songsong, in a letter to the Committee, said that with the implementation of a village community-based education, distributing funds in lump sum would be feasible to ensure PSS’s smooth operations.
Assistant Atty. General Elliot Sattler also shared his comments and said that the proposed amendment to increase the annual budget to not less than 25 percent is a permissive legislative undertaking pursuant to provisions in the NMI Constitution.
The Legislature recently passed its final version of the proposed budget allotting a $5.17 million increase from last year’s budget.
PSS is expected to receive a $41.2 million budget next fiscal year.
