During yesterday’s budget hearing in the House Chamber, PSS financial consultant Ed Tenorio said the agency’s current spending level of over $34 million is the lowest in recent years.
He said the government should consider raising PSS budget to a level commensurate to the number of educators and staffers in line with the policy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or the federal stimulus law, which will provide PSS with $44.4 million.
“It’s a serious problem for PSS. Under ARRA, we need to fund PSS at least $37 million [in the coming years],” he said.
PSS employs 919 full-time employees. But under its budget proposal, it can hire as many as 1,116 FTEs.
The stimulus law also offers PSS more funding for its different academic and other projects.
Tenorio said PSS stands to receive $6.4 million in renewable energy grants, which when completed, should enable schools to reduce their power consumption by half.
Currently, PSS pays the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. about $3 million annually for water and power supplies.
Once the renewable energy is up and running at different schools, Tenorio said PSS will be able to save significantly in terms of utility bills.
PSS, which oversees 20 public schools on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, including Head Start centers, is allowed to hire more teachers whose salaries will be funded under ARRA.
Charlie Kenty, the personnel director of PSS, said they are now in the process of recruiting more teachers.
He said the CNMI’s entry level salary for teachers is fairly competitive compared to other U.S. jurisdictions.
On Guam, for instance, a newly hired teacher is paid $25,000 annually whereas in the CNMI, the salary is $30,000.
The pay goes higher as teachers get more teaching certifications, higher education or experience.
“Our salary is very competitive,” said Kenty when a lawmaker asked if the salary is an issue why it’s difficult to retain some teachers.
He said off-island teachers commonly leave the island to relocate to other states, to pursue higher education or avail of retirement.
“Local residents are also leaving,” he added.
