Board of Education Vice Chair Anthony Dela Cruz Barcinas of Rota, seated, 3rd left, poses for a photo with Rota’s public education personnel and Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, third right, seated, at Sinapalo Elementary School on Jan. 24, 2025.
ROTA (PSS) — Rota’s new Board of Education member, Anthony Dela Cruz Barcinas, pledged to the island’s public education stakeholders that he will continue ensuring student access to learning while equipping staff with “all the necessary tools,” as much as possible, to fulfill their responsibilities
Barcinas has been an active public school parent leader for many years, and has served on the State Parents Advisory Council and the Head Start Policy Council. He is also a former chair of the Rota Municipal Council. Many of the island’s public education stakeholders have worked with him in one capacity or another.
On Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho formally introduced Barcinas as Rota’s BOE member to the over 100 teaching and non-teaching personnel of Rota in the Sinapalo Elementary School cafeteria.
“Today is a special day for all of us,” the commissioner said. “I am proud to introduce our new Board of Education member to you. He is here today to understand what we do as educators, what we do in service of our students and our parents, and what we do for this beautiful island community from a board member’s perspective. I know he has worked with you at some point, but this time, we are very fortunate that he stands next to us as our advocate supporting our ‘Students First, Educators Always’ adage,” Camacho said.
Barcinas was warmly received by Rota’s public school personnel who work for Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior-Senior High School, Sinapalo Elementary School, Head Start/Early Head Start, Office of Pupil Transportation, Child Nutrition Program, among other offices.
Joining Commissioner Camacho in introducing the new BOE member to Rota’s public education personnel and stakeholders were the Public School System’s Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, Senior Director for Student Support Services Jackie Quitugua, and Senior Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Rizalina Liwag.
Barcinas was unanimously elected by the BOE as its vice chair on Jan. 13, 2025.
Known to many of his constituents as a hardworking government employee, Barcinas said he was honored to speak before the men and women of Rota’s public schools, their programs and services.
Barcinas said he is honored to serve all public education stakeholders of Rota.
“I am truly humbled for the trust place in me to serve our Students First, Educators Always, and our beautiful community,” he added.
“Education is the key to opportunities and a bright future for our youth. I am committed to working collaboratively with my fellow board members to ensure every student has access to a quality education,” Barcinas said.
“I will also prioritize student success and provide unwavering support for our teachers, faculty, and staff to ensure that our schools have the necessary tools for every child to thrive in a safe and caring learning environment,” he added.
“Together, we will overcome challenges and celebrate successes as we continue to strengthen and further advance our Public School System. I look forward to this journey of growth and the opportunity to make a positive impact. I am eager to contribute to the bright future of our educational system and our island community,” said Barcinas, adding that he is also eager to “continue the work and meet the challenges that our PSS is currently facing.”
