BOE asks Senate to revisit education act
The State Board of Education has prodded the Senate to review the board’s input on a legislation that seeks to overhaul the public education sector.
In a letter to Senate President Paul Manglona, BOE members and the Public School System raised concerns that the House Committee on Education cleared the initiative without accepting suggestions made by BOE and PSS.
This, after the House Committee on Education earlier solicited the public education sector’s comments to the proposed changes under the education act.
BOE Chair Frances H. Diaz and Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos have expressed opposition to a provision designating the Department of Public Works as overseer of construction and major renovation work at public and school facilities.
Officials said the addition of such section to the current law removes BOE’s and PSS’ control over its own property, facilities, and projects without any justification or proof that they are not competent to perform their obligations.
“We respectfully inform the Senate that there are Capital Improvement Projects Committee and a CIP office addressing CIP issues for PSS.
These teams have the responsibility to meet standards and requirements to provide for the appropriate instruction, health and welfare of the students of the CNMI and we take this responsibility to the students very seriously.
We also have the experience and special knowledge necessary for the development of educational facilities,” they added.
The board also moved to strike out a phrase that included “with concurrence of the Legislature” in establishing and approving curricula, administrative policies and assessment content and performance standards for PSS.
BOE and PSS agree that this could create unnecessary administrative problems and delay PSS federally-funded programs and projects.
Mandating all kindergarten through grade 3 teachers to speak, write and understand Chamorro/English and/or Carolinian/English would make it difficult for PSS to find qualified teachers for these grades, the board explained.
According to BOE, this bilingual requirement also violates policies and could threaten federally-funded projects.
The board added PSS could face potential complaints before EEOC and lawsuits and not the Legislature.
The school system and BOE stood pat on its position not to endorse a certain provision under the bill seeking to amend a list of qualifications for the Commissioner of Education which states that he or she must have three consecutive years of responsible administrative experience, three consecutive years of full time teaching experience, and fluency in Chamorro/English or Carolinian/English.
According to BOE members, the board is in the best position to review the qualifications of an applicant and determine if the applicant will be a responsible and efficient commissioner.
