Two lawmakers have expressed shock and bewilderment at what appears to be the Board of Education\u2019s abrupt termination of Education Commissioner Cynthia Deleon Guerrero last Tuesday, which remains shrouded in mystery due to the lack of details.<\/p>\n
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres declined to comment on the matter at this time but Rep. Edwin Aldan (R-Tinian) and Sen. Teresita Santos (R-Rota), who chair the Committee on Education at the House and the Senate respectively, said they were caught flatfooted by the decision.<\/p>\n
Aldan expressed concern over the welfare of Public School System students.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am kind of surprised with her termination, [but I] respect [the BOE\u2019s] decision on this issue due to [it being within their authority],\u201d Aldan told Saipan Tribune. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just hope that it does not disrupt the daily and ongoing programs within PSS management, staff, and most especially our students,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
As of publication, associate commissioner for Yvonne Pangelinan is the acting education commissioner.<\/p>\n
Santos believes the BOE should at least justify Deleon Guerrero\u2019s termination<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps the tenure of a [commissioner of education] should be revisited, specifically the provision where he or she could be terminated without cause,\u201d she said, adding that if anybody at that level could be terminated anytime, \u201cthere should be justifications or with reasonable cause, and not the contrary.\u201d<\/p>\n
The BOE unanimously voted last Tuesday to terminate Deleon Guerrero \u201cwithout cause\u201d during a board meeting on Capital Hill. Deleon Guerrero\u2019s termination is effective this Nov. 5, 2017.<\/p>\n
Santos did decline to comment on the termination itself, but is relieved that both the BOE and the commissioner would ensure continuity of services.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe BOE and [the commissioner] issued a statement ensuring continuity by providing quality services; protecting the best interest of our students, faculty, staff, and administrators; and putting our students first,\u201d said Santos.<\/p>\n
According to a social media post of Deleon Guerrero, she submitted a \u201cletter of concern\u201d last Oct. 6, 2017, to the BOE, which she added would be made public. According to a separate email, Deleon Guerrero said the board never responded to her letter of concern prior to sending her the termination letter via email. <\/p>\n
Deleon Guerrero is in Hawaii, attending a Head Start conference.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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