USDOE consultant pleased with PSS leadership during visit

U.S. Department of Education senior risk consultant Christine Jackson was pleased with her visit with CNMI Public School System leadership and schools last Sept. 18-20.

During her visit, Jackson met with PSS, Northern Marianas College, NMTech, and NMI administration officials during school inspections/visits and exit conferences.

She met with Board of Education officials led by interim Commissioner of Education Donna M. Flores, Federal Program officer Jacqueline Che, Finance and Budget director Arlene Lizama, Procurement officer Michael Babauta, and internal auditor Jolene Muna. She also visited Oleai Elementary School, Chacha Oceanview Middle School, Marianas High School, and Hopwood Middle School.

With the recent change of command to Flores, Jackson said the CNMI has “good education leadership” and that Flores “is going to be a good leader.”

Jackson said she is confident in Flores’ leadership because “I have worked with her folks in [Washington, D.C.] Special Education Program, and they told me about her.”

Jackson added, “Every time our Special Ed folks compliment someone it definitely speaks well because they are very particular about folks following Special Education rules and regulations. And it was great to see that someone from that office is taking on the leadership role even if in the interim state because she has genuine connection to the students, especially to students with special needs.”

The fact that she is there now, Jackson said that for Flores, “It’s definitely going to be a great stint of leadership because she understands what needed to happen both on the board and staff that worked with her at the central office and for the school level. She is one who wants to make sure she is accountable for the federal funds.”

Jackson said prior to her arrival, she came in with concerns, but that it was immediately dispelled. She said one thing that made her visit different was that it counteracted any false narratives about what is going on in the CNMI PSS in terms of the leadership.

Along with being confident in Flores’ leadership, she is also confident in the staff who are working with the federal programs, finance area, and procurement.

“Even though the leadership has changed recently, and there are new faces in the organization, it definitely was a way to confirm that things are still stable if not even better because of the caliber of staff who are working with the federal programs, finance area, procurement (and) everything that I have seen and the people I have talked to have been able to be response. And everyone has an attitude of transparency, accountability, and integrity in everything that they are doing. And of course, the same singular goal and that they are here for the students,” said Jackson.

Not only was Jackson pleased with the leadership, but that she was pleased she visited the schools and talked to staff. “Things are definitely on par. There is no reason to think that things have gone backward. It definitely has dispelled any rumors about high risk being designated for the school system. I think they are definitely on track to continue to use the federal investment effectively. I am really pleased.”

Jackson has been visiting the CNMI, primarily conducting regular reviews of the territory’ school district for 20 years now. Her responsibilities also encompasses Guam and Puerto Rico.