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Increase in PSS budget means extra $20 million
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Posted on Jun 01 2000
The proposed 10 percent increase in the Public School System’s yearly budget appropriation could mean an extra $20 million for public education in the Northern Marianas.
Given the projected $211 million CNMI revenues in Fiscal Year 2001, PSS would be entitled to $42.2 million for overall operations, according to a PSS budget history report.
The figure is a far cry from 15 percent guaranteed appropriation as mandated by the constitution, or some $31.6 million.
Projected student enrollment for FY 2001 is targeted to reach 10,000 combining all 16 public schools on Saipan, Rota, and Tinian.
In its next budget request, the school system is seeking a $45.5 million spending package, which would peg education cost per student at $5,150.
This, as the school system readies to hire close to 400 fulltime equivalents if its funding request in granted.
The additional FTEs would narrow down the ratio of students per FTE by eight to one, as opposed to the current 12 to one.
Hopes were high that if ever the additional 10 percent allotment takes effect, vast improvements in public education can finally be turned into a reality.
PSS officials even made additional suggestions on the proposed budgetary appropriation. Earlier, PSS asked that the allotment be made non-reprogrammable for other purposes.
Officials even appealed if it were possible for unencumbered funds at the end of every the fiscal year to be carried over to the following year.
Furthermore, PSS also requested that such funds 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.
But the Board of Education has made clear its position to block such funding increase in light of certain constitutional issues.
Just recently, majority of BOE members voted to oppose the legislative initiative as it would mean drastic changes in the CNMI constitution. (MM)
