“Since there was no commitment or promises or agreement, this issue is moot,” he said.
The Saipan Tribune on Friday reported that $50,000 in SHEFA funds would go to the trade school each month based on a “tentative agreement”
among NMTI president Anthony Pellegrino, Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores, Hofschneider and two lawmakers.
They met last week to explore funding sources for the trade school after the mayor’s office opposed House Local Bill 17-39 which proposes to allocate 25 percent of SHEFA funds to NMTI.
Hofschneider, in an interview with the Variety, said SHEFA will continue to provide financial assistance to eligible NMTI students.
He said the level of financial assistance award per year will continue at $1,000 every student until changed by the SHEFA board.
But the discussion in last week’s meeting was not binding, he said, adding that they were merely exploring options.
The law controlling the appropriation to SHEFA restricts the funds solely for its financial assistance program, which the board is charged with administering, Hofschneider said.
“I doubt the board or anyone else is authorized by law to allocate appropriated funds to NMTI,” he added.
During the SHEFA board’s recent meeting, Chairman Jose C. Mafnas indicated that they might terminate, suspend or reduce their financial assistance due to lack of funding.
But Hofschneider said Mafnas was simply listing options, not decisions or final plans.
“But, of course, some financial programs might be subject to cuts, if and when revenue could not support the current level of awards. My position is: adjustments must be made to bring expenditures in line with revenue income,” he said.
SHEFA funds come from Saipan poker fee collections, which have been declining.
