BOARD of Education member Andrew L. Orsini, who is seeking re-election, on Monday submitted his candidacy documents to the Commonwealth Election Commission.
His current four-year term will end in January 2023.
In an interview, he said he decided to seek another term after a significant number of people signed a petition expressing support for his candidacy.
Orsini said his campaign is all about “a better education for a better economy.”
The nonpartisan BOE is the governing and policymaking body of the Public School System
Orsini said he wants to continue what he started when he became a BOE member in 2019 and its chairman in 2021. Earlier this year, he was succeeded by Gregory Pat Borja as the new BOE chair.
Orsini said he is very optimistic about CNMI education moving forward as “we are very blessed” with a lot of federal funding. But, he added, “we cannot take it for granted because we have a timeline in spending those funds.”
Noting that the CNMI economy is still recovering, his concern is that “there’s just so many things that need to be accomplished” while federal funds are still available.
Considering the economic uncertainty, Orsini said he will work to ensure that “things are in place” for CNMI education before federal funds run out.
Board of Education member Andrew L. Orsini of Saipan shakes hands with Commonwealth Election Commission Executive Director Kayla Igitol after submitting his candidacy documents on Monday. Orsini is seeking a second term on the BOE.
