THE CNMI Public School System will receive the $4.5 million in consolidated grant funding previously withheld by the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds said.
In a statement, King-Hinds said the USDOE has released the previously withheld portion of consolidated grant funding for PSS, “resolving a [monthlong] delay that had placed critical education programs under significant strain.”
Earlier this month, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho issued a memorandum calling for immediate action to mitigate what was believed to be a 24% reduction in consolidated grant funding for PSS. In the memo, the commissioner outlined a plan to adjust expenditures for the CNMI’s 13 federally funded education programs.
At a House Ways and Means Committee budget hearing two weeks ago, however, Board of Education Chair Kodep Ogumoro Uludong clarified that the $4.5 million was not a reduction, but rather a withheld amount pending an internal review by the USDOE — an action taken by the department with education grants for all U.S. states and territories.
In a statement over the weekend, King-Hinds said on Friday, July 25, the White House announced the release of the full $5.5 billion in previously withheld education funds nationwide. She said the USDOE confirmed that disbursements to states and territories would begin this week, including the release of funds owed to the CNMI.
“This is a relief for our students, teachers, and families. Our Public School System needs consistency, not disruption. I commend PSS leadership for staying steady during a time of uncertainty, advocating clearly for the needs of our students, and ensuring that programs continued without interruption,” King-Hinds said.
From the moment she learned earlier this month that the PSS portion of the grants would be delayed, she said her office “worked to clarify the issue and press for resolution.”
“We maintained consistent contact with the Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget, made clear the consequences of this hold for our schools, and joined with congressional colleagues to ensure our territories were not left behind,” she said.
While early reports described the hold as a cut, King-Hinds quickly clarified that the $4.5 million was not eliminated, but it was temporarily withheld as part of a nationwide review affecting all 50 states and U.S. territories. Her office sent formal correspondence urging an immediate review and release of the funds, citing the CNMI’s unique challenges and reliance on federal education support.
She reiterated that while this outcome is welcome, the episode highlights the need for more transparency in the federal grants process and better safeguards for remote and insular communities that depend heavily on these funds.
“We’ll continue to stay engaged, and we’ll keep pressing for long-term policies that bring predictability and fairness to the territories. Our students deserve no less,” she said.
