Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan vowed yesterday that both the State Board of Education and the Public School System would do all they can to persuade the government to allocate an adequate budget for quality public education.<\/p>\n
Today, education leaders and stakeholders are expected to grace the budget hearing on Capital Hill and they promised to come equipped with all the necessary data and records to prove their claims.<\/p>\n
In an interview yesterday, Sablan could not hide her disappointment at what the Executive Branch has proposed for PSS next fiscal year. Gov. Eloy S. Inos had recommended a $33.2 million budget for PSS, which is $7.3 million shy of what the BOE had endorsed, $40 million, for fiscal year 2015.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know we\u2019re challenged with the budget. I just hope they will give us the opportunity to present and for them to clearly see the big picture why PSS is requesting for a budget that is adequate to provide quality education in order for students to be successful,\u201d said Sablan.<\/p>\n
She hinted that failure to get the proper amount for PSS this upcoming fiscal year could result in a declaration of a state of emergency for CNMI public schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe I will ask the Board of Education to declare an emergency for us to really make sure we get the amount we need to adequately provide quality education,\u201d said Sablan.<\/p>\n
A budget that\u2019s lower than $40 million, Sablan said, will mean more large class sizes in many schools. Teacher-to-student ratio will remain at an all-time high especially in secondary campuses. And there will be fewer teachers and counselors attending to the needs of an increasing student population.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe implication is really going to trickle down right into the classrooms where we need the most support,\u201d Sablan said, adding that the $33.2 million being proposed for PSS would result in \u201ca lot of compromises.\u201d <\/p>\n
PSS cannot continue to operate this way, she said. \u201cWe want to be world-class, we want to be the best, so give us the adequate funding that\u2019s needed for quality education, that\u2019s what we\u2019re asking for [from this government],\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Sablan said that PSS has about 400 classroom teachers right now. Under its proposed $40-million budget for 2015, it wants to hire 35 more classroom teachers.<\/p>\n
What if the Legislature goes ahead and approves the $33.2-million budget for public schools and then promise to do a supplemental funding for PSS? <\/p>\n
Sablan doubts this will happen. \u201cIf there\u2019s a supplemental budget, then I want to see it in writing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
When asked why PSS would choose to declare a state of emergency if it doesn’t get the funding it wants, Sablan said, \u201cTo me, an emergency is not having the adequate support for the school district, which places us in a very critical situation. We don\u2019t want to compromise the safety of our schools. The Constitution mandates us to provide a compulsory and free public education\u2026so it better be adequate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sablan said that a \u201cstate of emergency\u201d declaration for PSS is not meant to sound like a threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want everybody to think that as a threat, but if we are to provide that adequate quality education that will ensure student success\u2026that\u2019s what we\u2019re letting you know,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Sablan said the governor\u2019s proposed $33.2-million budget is based on the $134 million government projected revenues next fiscal year. However, she noted that \u201crevenues have gone up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know we always do this [budget hearing]. And every year I do it, nothing happens in our favor,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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