By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

BOARD of Education Chairman Roman C. Benavente yesterday reiterated his support for Education Commissioner David M. Borja’s move to exempt school administrators from the 10 percent paycut mandated by the holiday austerity law, P.L. 15-27.
He said Borja’s decision was made in consultation with the board and legal counsel and aimed to “uplift” the morale of school principals and vice principals.
“Dr. Borja is not standing alone on this one,” Benavente said. “The board is the body looking at the equity of each employee in the system and we don’t want confrontation over labor violation. A majority of the board and the legal counsel support the move to exempt them from the cut…and the reason is very general…very common sense and it’s very fair,” Benavente told Variety in a telephone interview.
The exemption was criticized by Vice Speaker Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan, who said it violated P.L. 15-27 which, he added, states that the commissioner can only exempt critical personnel in the extended year program, or the staff of the special education program.
P.L. 15-27 granted exemption to PSS employees under a 190-day contract, and these include some teachers and teacher aides.
“The commissioner was given the authority by the law to exempt or not critical positions…his decision is fully supported and was based on consultation and under the advisement of both the board and the legal counsel,” Benavente said.
He said the Public School System and BOE will welcome any move by the vice speaker or the Attorney General’s Office seek a “clear interpretation” of the law.
“The principal is the head of the school. In providing them no exemption to 10 percent cut, is like demoralizing them because they are doing school work 24/7 unlike the 190-day contract employees,” Benavente said, adding that he respects the vice speaker’s opinion.
“But the vice speaker should know the importance of the critical and important role played by educators,” he added.