Bennett accepts decision on COE

Ambrose M. Bennett, the other applicant for the post of Education Commissioner, issued a statement yesterday, congratulating the selection of Rita Sablan and expressing hope that she will be supported in her efforts to improve the Public School System.

“I want to congratulate Mrs. Sablan on her selection,” said Bennett in the statement. “She is well qualified to be the COE and I’m confident she will perform well as our Commissioner. I know expectations are high for her and the system and I wish her and all the stakeholders in the system the very best, including myself.”

Bennett, a former teacher representative to the Board of Education, accepted the board’s decision philosophically, saying, “You don’t always get what you ask for and sometimes you have to be careful about what you ask for because you just might get it.”

“I have no complaints and I totally respect the decision of the board,” he added.

The Board of Education announced its choice of Sablan during a specially scheduled meeting on Saturday.

Board chair Lucy Blanco-Maratita said that Sablan, former PSS associate commissioner for Curriculum and Instruction, was chosen “due to the depth of her knowledge and experience in education as shown by her application packet and interview responses.”

The Commissioner of Education reports to the Board of Education and is in charge of all operations for PSS.

In order to take office, Sablan must reach an agreement with the Board over a lawsuit she filed in 2006 against the BOE and three past members. Sablan had sued after David Borja was named COE over her. In June, Borja was dismissed from his post.

Bennett said the Public School System faces many challenges and Sablan needs all the help she can get to move PSS forward.

“The challenges facing our school system are immense and I’m hopeful all the stakeholders in our system will support Mrs. Sablan and her efforts to improve the system. She can’t do it alone and it is clear PSS must move on and move forward,” he said.

“I will still continue to be an activist for improvements in education system and doing my best to help the new administration in any way that I can,” he added.

The Board of Education conducted the 50-question interviews with Sablan and Bennett on Wednesday. Blanco-Maratita said Sablan came out on top with her understanding of the school system.

“Ms. Sablan came ahead, particularly in her development and implementation of standards and benchmarks,” she said.

As Commissioner, Sablan will hold the position for four years with annual reviews. She will have a yearly salary of $70,000.[B][I] (Saipan Tribune)[/I][/B]