By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE incumbent chairman of the Board of Education, Roman C. Benavente, was reelected for another year on Friday.
Board member Lucy Blanco-Maratita was absent and Benavente’s re-election was supported by his allies, Dino M. Jones and Marja Lee Taitano.
BOE’s other voting member, Herman T. Guerrero, abstained.
Jones and Taitano were also re-elected vice chairman and treasurer.
“This will be our fourth year as chairman, vice chairman and the treasurer,” Benavente told Variety after the meeting.
The three form the majority bloc on the board.
“We want to do everything for (the Public School System) and it is the board’s focus to assist PSS in coping with its economic situation. We will find ways to address the financial problems that we have,” Benavente said.
He said besides seeking more federal assistance for CNMI schools, he would also work closely with the Legislature, seeking their assistance in finding ways to sustain PSS operations.
PSS has over 11,600 students in its 20 public schools on Rota, Saipan and Tinian.
This fiscal year, $38.6 million was appropriated for personnel and operations.