We have been working very closely with the leadership of the Public School System in changing the way in which federal funds are provided to the CNMI for education. Just so you know, education is my top priority in this term in Congress because I truly believe that our people are our most important resources. Investing in our people, with a priority for education, is I think the best way we can progress as a community and as a people. It is about our own prosperity.
In this regard, please know that PSS received more money this term — some $36 million in new funding — than it ever has in our over 30 years as a commonwealth. And this is in addition to all the funds it already receives. PSS this year has more funding from the federal government than from the commonwealth government.
We have also sent over 10,000 books to all public schools and 50 boxes to the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library and 20 boxes to the Tinian public library in addition to another $100,000 for school books. And because libraries are important to the education of our people, we have also provided $200,000 to make renovations and improvements to the JKPL.
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan approaches education funding this way: local education agencies (such as our PSS) knows best on how to run its educational system and programs and the federal government should not mandate federal priorities to LEAs or SEAs. I agree with him if only because we all see that the mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act have actually left CNMI students behind. We must avoid setting federal mandates for the education of the people of the CNMI. We must trust in the proven capacity of our own education officials, administrators, teachers and support staff to do this much better than the federal government can. I know that I do.
Our school officials — the Board of Education and the commissioner of education — and I have been working closely over the past 15 months to see an increase in funding for the CNMI. One of our goals is to see a large increase in Title I monies. At the same time, I also do not want to impose mandates on how PSS prioritizes its programs and while you have my personal assurance that we will keep in mind your concerns and helpful suggestions, I also recommend that you work with Mr. Garrison and with the commissioner of education to ensure that your issues are also addressed at the commonwealth level.
I introduced is H.R. 5399. This legislation authorizes the secretary of education to establish the National Remote Teacher Corps of elementary and secondary school teachers to fill vacancies, reduce class sizes, and improve educational quality in certain remote areas in the U.S. territories. We could amend this to include support staff such as librarians since it already includes language to develop a professional development and distance-learning certificate or degree program to assist individuals located in remote territorial areas in becoming highly qualified teachers.
I will also consider the introduction of a resolution supporting your concerns and urging Congress to address them in a timely and appropriate manner. While this does nothing to change the law, it sends a message to U.S. DOE about the importance that librarians play in the education of our children.
I hope I have been helpful to your concerns and that you can see that libraries are included in our efforts. I also hope that your school library patrons can make use of the books we sent to SSHS.
GREGORIO C. SABLAN
Member, U.S. Congress
