He blamed the CUC line crew for chopping down all the trees at MHS, and personal injuries and the fact that some students “peek under girl’s skirts” as reasons for demolishing the MHS stage. Perhaps he could provide proof of the purported injuries and students peeking under girl’s skirts that could justify his decision to destroy the school stage. As for the chopping down of the trees, I will have to let the public make their judgment because it’s not only the pine trees along the MHS Beach Road side that were chopped down. The coconut trees planted along the road to the MHS gym on the southern edge of the field adjacent to the MHS library and the plumeria trees that were planted along the stretch of Buildings A – D are also gone. Additionally, the tall monkey pod tree that used to hover over the six large one-thousand gallon water tanks in front of the vocational buildings is also gone. In fact that tree was chopped down three weeks ago by one of our school aide as directed by Craig Garrison. Its chopped branches that lay strewn on the ground and the stump were quickly removed two days ago to hide any evidence from the public. Even the concrete basement for the six landmark MHS water tanks was also removed the same day.
The water tanks were a monument in itself and I am really saddened to see them go. I wish I know who he gave them so I could bring them back. It was the landmark that many people use as backdrop of many campus photos.
We are not only protesting all the radical changes taking place on campus and the removal of the teachers, but also against the hostile working environment that he brought to Marianas High School. Teachers are really unhappy and are not performing their duties well. The toxic working environment at the school is affecting all of us including our students. The only exceptions are the few teachers that hang a lot around him.
Additionally, we are also protesting the manner in which these highly qualified long time Marianas High School teachers were removed. There is no clear reason for any of them to be released from Marianas High School except that Garrison won’t need them next school year. Employees are usually removed from their jobs because of a wrong doing. These MHS teachers did not do anything wrong at all, and none have any pending case filed against them.
We have been advised to follow the legal PSS procedure and file a grievance against him because it would be difficult to get rid of him without a justifiable cause. Sadly teachers can be terminated at any time. As it stands now there is nothing that stands in Garrison’s way to back down from his continued intimidation and harassment of MHS staff and teachers. The only solution is for all of us to come together and continue this peaceful protest to get him out quickly from MHS.
Sadly, today may be the last day of our long four-day protest unless circumstances change, and we hope something good has come out of it.
Personally I am ready to accept whatever the consequences, and I am sure Mrs. Yangetmai feels the same way. We stood up for all our colleagues and our students. We knew from the very beginning that what we are up against will be a monumental task to accomplish, but we just couldn’t accept the fact that no one is willing to stand up and try to do something about it. We are very thankful to Mrs. Damiana Satur DeGuzman Arko and Jerome Faisao Taisacan for putting their jobs on the line to join us. We extend our sincere Si Yu’us Maase to Congressman Stanley Torres for inviting us up to address our concerns to the members of the CNMI Legislature. To the parents and our loyal supporters who stood proudly with us, we cannot find words to express how we are deeply moved by your unwavering support and presence.
To all of those that gave us your support and assurances: from the silent supporters to those who sent us emails, and the waving and honking of car horns we extend our Ghilisou. Unfortunately all of those do not get us anywhere. We need your presence. Our failure will only embolden this absolute tyrant.
JAMES YANGETMAI
MHS Teacher
