The Public School System defended the nearly half-a-million dollars it spent on travel last year, saying it was sharply lower than in previous years.<\/p>\n
In 1995, PSS spent more than $1 million in federally funded trips alone. Last year’s travel spending was at least 15 percent lesser than in 1997, according to acting Fiscal and Budget Officer William Matson.<\/p>\n
“We’ve been frugal in our travels and very responsible. Ever since I became chairman, I was very strict with travels,” said Board of Education Chairman Marja Lee Taitano.<\/p>\n
She said off-island trips are important: they bring teachers to the CNMI, send managers and principals to training and connect the islands to the outside world.<\/p>\n
“Sure you can do a lot with computers, but that’s virtual reality,” Taitano said.<\/p>\n
Besides, she said, PSS stands to lose federal travel funds if they were left unspent.<\/p>\n
Taitano made the comment after Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, was reported as being disappointed at PSS over the travel expenses.<\/p>\n
Matson said PSS had received a grant that was to be used solely for travel and another for attending meetings and seminars. The grants were worth more than $50,000.<\/p>\n
Private schools had benefited from the grants too.<\/p>\n
Taitano said, “We sent children for sports, for drug-free conferences and for the national academic-challenge bowl.” Students from private schools usually qualified in these travels.<\/p>\n
The recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award also represents the CNMI annually to a national meeting in Washington D.C., she added.<\/p>\n
Taitano said Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio approved of “essential travels” in their meeting last week.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, she said, a proposal has been put forth, asking those who would get to travel to pick up at least one-fourth of the expenses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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