Board of Education chair Herman Guerrero kept neutral yesterday on the contentious appointment of Cynthia Deleon Guerrero as Public School System commissioner.<\/p>\n
In a letter addressed to Guerrero, concerned teacher Alisa Pangelinan claimed that the selection process was \u201cquestionable and compromise[ed] the integrity of the overall process.\u201d<\/p>\n
To that, Guerrero declined to comment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have no reaction to that. The Board of Education needs to review the letter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Guerrero said he was trying to maintain neutrality on the issue and that hopefully the board would be able to address the issue in their special meeting on Friday, Nov. 18.<\/p>\n
An online petition on change.org called for support for the CNMI Board of Education’s selection of Deleon Guerrero. The petition already had 101 signers as of 9pm last night. It insists that the Board of Education followed its hiring regulations.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
\u201cThis action by these few teachers is a disruption to the management of PSS and a blatant disrespect and lack of understanding of the democratic and autonomous process of the BOE,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
Other teachers, who agreed to speak to Saipan Tribune on the condition of anonymity, shared the same sentiments as Pangelinan and pushed the same thing\u2014transparency in the selection process.<\/p>\n
A group of teachers questioned Deleon Guerrero\u2019s qualification, claiming that candidates Glenn Mu\u00f1a or Ignacia Demapan would fit better in the role of commissioner. <\/p>\n
The same group also pointed out that Deleon Guerrero is too new to PSS. <\/p>\n
Another teacher within the same group speculated that the BOE\u2019s criteria were adjusted to fit Deleon Guerrero. <\/p>\n
One of the teachers, however, opted to remain optimistic and insisted that people give Deleon Guerrero a chance. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe has big shoes to fill,\u201d said the teacher, claiming that former commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan has been a big help to PSS and wondered whether Deleon Guerrero could handle the position. <\/p>\n
Another teacher wondered how the selection process went. <\/p>\n
\u201cI have nothing against [Deleon Guerrero], but the fact that we don\u2019t actually know how she got the position brings up questions. That is one thing we want to know as teachers,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Another teacher shared a different opinion. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really have much to say because I don\u2019t know the new commissioner who was appointed. I\u2019m just disappointed that they didn\u2019t go off-island to seek candidates. I think being on the island, everybody is related to everybody, and it\u2019ll just be really nice to have some outside influence. There a lot of things that needed to be changed\u2026and it would be nice to have a different perspective,\u201d said the teacher.<\/p>\n
A few teachers, however, thought that it was worth giving Deleon Guerrero a shot at the position before being critical.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really have an opinion because what I know is she was first a Human Resource director, so I don\u2019t know much about her and I think if she was doing a good job as an HR director, which I am not hearing anything bad, then why not,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Another said, \u201cI\u2019m not really sure. We\u2019ll find out how things go. We won\u2019t really know how things would go unless things go into office, takes over, and see how things run with PSS. I really can\u2019t say much. Hopefully it\u2019s for the best,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
A statement from the administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres congratulated Deleon Guerrero\u2019s appointment.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince the retirement of Dr. Rita Sablan over three months ago, I am pleased that the Public School System can now focus on the years to come. I congratulate Mrs. Cynthia Deleon Guerrero and look forward to working together in raising the quality of education in the CNMI and reiterating the importance of investing in our youth. Education remains one of our top priorities to better the lives of our community and the health of our economy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deleon Guerrero\u2019s contract as PSS chief would start on Nov. 21. Deleon Guerrero\u2019s acceptance of the offer has already been communicated to the BOE last week. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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