Debra Ellen informed the Board of Education that she is now considering a job in another jurisdiction.
Yesterday, the two remaining candidates were interviewed by board members at the Pacific Islands Club — Kagman High School teacher Ambrose Bennett and former associate education commissioner for instruction and curriculum Rita Sablan.
Bennett is a former teacher representative to the board who has clashed with BOE members in the past.
Sablan applied for the position in 2006, and her hiring was supported by two BOE members who now form the board’s new leadership.
She later sued the three board members who decided to hire David Borja.
Borja was fired by the new board in June.
During yesterday’s interview, the two candidates had to answer 50 questions and were each given a maximum of three minutes to respond to each question.
BOE Vice Chairman Herman T. Guerrero said they will deliberate on the candidates’ responses in the board’s next meeting.
“We will review everything and hopefully we can make the decision soon,” he said. “As for today’s interview, I believe both of them responded to the best of their abilities.”
Guerrero and now BOE Chairwoman Lucy Blanco-Maratita were the two of the five board members who wanted to hire Sablan two years ago.
The board wants to name a new commissioner prior to the start of classes next month.
The two candidates were asked how they will prepare the Public School System for the possible shortage of teachers starting on July 31, 2010, the deadline imposed by the federal government on PSS for the hiring of highly qualified personnel.
“PSS must have a rigorous plan to prevent this anticipated shortfall by developing a comprehensive system for personnel development dealing with effective recruitment, retention, and renewal of teachers,” Sablan responded.
She said PSS, through approval from the BOE, can also create an “Educators Club” that will promote the teaching profession.
Bennett said the commissioner should assist teachers, especially those have yet to pass the required Praxis tests, by providing more professional development and training.
“PSS is driven by expectations and all teachers should understand that fact. Support should always be provided to our teachers in order to motivate them,” Bennett said.
Asked how they will promote PSS despite the lack of funding, Sablan said: “I will promote the strength of the system, its vision. We will talk about standards and assessment, collaboration and we will identify solutions to address the lack of funding.”
She believes that by highlighting the positive things about PSS “everybody can motivate others for assistance.”
Bennett, for his part, said PSS should focus on high student achievement despite the lack of appropriate funding for school operations.
Sablan and Bennett were also asked about their plans for Tinian and Rota schools in terms of instruction and curriculum, procurement and supplies, as well as the retention and hiring of personnel.
They were asked to cite their personal experiences with regards to discipline at school; thoughts about the non-renewal and termination of teachers; the types of professional development needed by PSS personnel; building local capacity to fill special education posts; and what they consider the most important components of high performance at schools.
