SNILD to work on $3M appropriation for PSS

The Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation is working on a draft to appropriate $3 million to the Public School System in response to one of two letters that PSS wrote the delegation. The other letter was a request for about $2.4 million.

SNILD chair Rep. John Paul “JP” Sablan (R-Saipan) said majority of the delegation agreed Friday to support the $3-million request, as it will be used for the opening of PSS classes.

The other PSS request for $2.4 million is to pay for utility, insurance, and other costs from the past month.

Sablan said the SNILD will put the $2.4-million appropriation on the floor another time, as the $3-million appropriation is the priority.

When asked about the $11.5 million due to PSS from the CNMI central government, Sablan said that they are aware of it and will be discussing the matter at the next House session. Some members said the $3 million should be credited to the owed $11 million.

“We recognize the challenges PSS faces this school year and the SNILD is committed to assist in any way we can,” Sablan said.