Sablan, Borja vie for PSS commissioner post

Associate commissioner for administrative services David M. Borja and associate commissioner for curriculum and instruction Rita Sablan are vying for the soon-to-be vacated post of Commissioner of Education.

Commissioner Rita H. Inos still holds the position until the end of the school year 2005-2006.

Board of education board member Herman T. Guerrero told the media this week that, according to the human resource division at the Central Office, only the two PSS officials have applied for the same post.

Inos successfully served the CNMI education system as Commissioner since 1998 and is now a Northern Marianas College board of regents member.

Guerrero said the board will still have to review the curriculum vitae of the two associate commissioners.

The deadline for application for the Commissioner post is at the end of this month. The new Commissioner will begin his or her duties this July.

Guerrero said he personally believes that the next commissioner should have a strong vision for public education in the CNMI.

According to the eight-member board of education, it is seeking “a student-centered and exemplary educational leader” to serve as the Commissioner, to start no later than July 1, 2006.

Based on the recently released document from the board that has been published on the PSS website since Feb. 6, the candidate for the Commissioner of Education “must be a dynamic, motivated educational leader with a collaborative management style and excellent communications skills who has demonstrated a commitment to educational excellence.”

“The successful candidate will be one who can demonstrate knowledge and experience in applying current education research and practices and a clear record of improving student achievement. The successful candidate must demonstrate organizational knowledge and skills,” PSS said.

Candidates for the positions will have the following duties and responsibilities: will serve as chief executive officer of PSS, responsible for all of its operations and activities; will report to the Board of Education; will be appointed by the Board of Education for a term of four years “but serves at the pleasure of the board.”

The board emphasized that an applicant for the Commissioner of Education must be a graduate from an accredited college or university with at least a master’s degree in some field of education. He or she must have five years experience in teaching or education administration and must have demonstrated knowledge of the PSS.

Applicants must also possess the ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing and must be a U.S. citizen or be eligible and authorized to work in the U.S., including the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The board said the full time salary for this position is approximately $60,000 to $80,000, plus other benefits applicable.