THE Public School System remains hopeful it will receive its constitutionally mandated 25% funding for fiscal year 2026, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho said.
PSS has submitted a budget request of $49.285 million to operate 20 elementary, middle, and high school campuses. This funding will also cover the salaries and benefits of over 1,000 teaching and non-teaching personnel who serve more than 9,000 students across Rota, Tinian, and Saipan.
In his fiscal year 2026 budget submission to the Legislature on April 1, the late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios proposed a $40 million spending plan for PSS. However, he indicated in subsequent meetings with Camacho and other PSS officials that any shortfall would be prioritized if new revenue sources become available during the fiscal year through a supplemental budget.
“We are committed to delivering equitable education to our students, and our budget request is crucial to this commitment,” Camacho said. He expressed confidence that with community support and ongoing discussions with the Apatang-Mendiola administration and the Legislature, PSS will secure the necessary funding to continue its operations without interruption.
Despite facing a challenging fiscal landscape, he said PSS is navigating its budget hurdles.
In a meeting on Monday, Camacho and his fiscal team discussed the pending budget request with Gov. David M. Apatang, Finance Secretary Tracy Norita, and Special Assistant for Management and Budget Vicky Castro.
PSS officials were told that the House of Representatives had suggested two budget scenarios for PSS for FY 2026: $30 million and $40 million.
“Governor Apatang is supportive of our needs. Despite the current lack of new revenue streams, he has committed to advocating for $40 million for PSS,” Camacho said shortly after emerging from his meeting with the governor.
Dire consequences
Camacho said should the final appropriation for PSS be set at $30 million, the consequences would be dire. PSS would be forced to implement drastic measures, including:
• Reduction in instructional days. The school calendar could be revised from the approved 180 days to fewer, severely affecting students’ learning experiences.
• Personnel cuts. Such a funding reduction would necessitate layoffs, impacting educational staff and reducing the number of teachers available to support student learning.
• Operational limitations. With constrained resources, essential services and operational hours would be diminished, further hindering the quality of education provided to students.
Still short
If the PSS budget is approved at the recommended $40 million, it would still fall short of the constitutional requirement. The implications include:
• Reduced instructional hours. To accommodate the budget, PSS may have to shorten instructional hours, potentially leading to a decline in educational quality.
• Potential emergency declaration. Operating under this budget may require a state of emergency declaration to allow for flexibility in educational operations, risking stability for students and staff.
• Continued uncertainty. PSS would still need to prepare for worst-case scenarios, which could impact planning and resource allocation for the upcoming school year.
Camacho emphasized the importance of community engagement and transparency in navigating these financial challenges.
“Our fiscal team is working diligently with the Legislature to ensure we maximize every opportunity for funding while preparing for any outcome,” he said.
As PSS prepares for the new school year beginning Aug. 19, 2025, Camacho said they remain steadfast in advocating for the needs of students and staff.
Despite hope for a final budget allocation starting at $40 million and potentially growing to $49.285 million, Camacho acknowledged the need to be realistic and forthcoming.
“In a worst-case scenario, our budget could decline to as low as $30 million. This is a reality we must be prepared to face, even as we work diligently to secure the best possible outcome,” he said.
The governor’s budget submission is currently pending in the Legislature.
