By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

BOARD of Education Chairman Roman C. Benavente wants a gradual increase in the salaries of Public School System teachers, but he won’t say how the cash-strapped government can afford this pay “adjustment.”
“As the CNMI minimum wage increases, we will also probably adjust the salaries of our teachers so that they will also receive a gradual increase,” said Benavente, who is one of the five elected BOE members.
He said the board and PSS will “explore all avenues” to get funding from the Legislature.
PSS teachers receive $18,000 to $47,000 a year, depending on their qualifications.
“We pay far above the minimum wage set by CNMI law (which is $3.05 an hour),” Benavente said. “Maybe with the economic situation that we have now, we cannot afford to make the adjustments…but rest assured a gradual increase and adjustment will happen for our teachers. Just give us time and we will do that.”
Benavente admitted that the salaries offered to CNMI teachers are not as “competitive” compared to the nation’s other school districts.,
“Other states offer as high as $85,000 to $100,000 in annual salary to highly qualified teachers in specific subjects,” he said.