By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

TWO elementary school teachers and a junior high school educator are running for the presidency of the Association of Commonwealth Teachers.
Sam Joyner of Kagman Elementary School, Betty Miller of San Vicente Elementary, and Pastor Gagaring of Hopwood Junior High School want to succeed Marianas High School’s James Yangetmai as ACT’s new leader.
Gagaring was also nominated for the vice presidency, and his opponent is Lauralynn Sweet of Kagman Elementary School.
The candidates for secretary are Carman Ada of Hopwood Junior High and Roger Church of Kagman Elementary.
For treasurer, the candidates are Marianas High School’s Thomas Ermang and San Vicente Elementary’s Ellen Rayphand.
According to Angela Wheat, ACT election committee chairwoman, one potential candidate did not confirm his nomination.
Because classes for public schools were suspended on Tuesday due to the haze, ACT extended the voting at all Saipan schools until this week.
“Many of our teachers and students were affected by the haze,” Wheat told Variety on Friday.
She said the ballots from Rota and Tinian are expected to be delivered before Friday.
“Hopefully we will be ready by Monday, March 12, to announce the new set of officers,” Wheat said.
Asked about the two nominations of Gagaring, Wheat said they will seek a clarification from the candidate.
“It is clear that if Mr. Gagaring makes it in both positions, he will choose one position in which to serve,” she said.
Wheat said no candidates were nominated from Rota and Tinian, “but we’re assuring everyone that ACT will work for all teachers on the three islands.”
The election committee initially scheduled the poll on Saipan for Feb. 28 and Feb. 27-28 on Rota and Tinian .
Wheat said ACT printed over 600 ballots for the election.