It is not my intention to disrespect anybody but I feel that I must correct the mistakes made that inadvertently disregarded the truth especially when it affects my reputation.
The original provision of Article XV Section 1(c) of the CNMI Constitution was ratified 1977 that took effect in 1978 established the composition and terms of each member of the Board of Education. The provision stated that five members shall be elected at large on a non-partisan basis; one from the first senatorial district, one from the second senatorial district and three from the third senatorial district.
In the summer of 1985, the Second Constitutional Convention adopted Amendment 38 which stated, “the governor shall appoint three nonvoting ex-officio members to the board of education: one member shall be a high school student attending a public school; one member shall be a representative of nonpublic schools; and one member selected by the teachers within the Public School System.” In that same year (1985) Amendment 38 was ratified by the voters during the November general election.
Three years later in 1988, the provisions of Amendment 38 took effect. CNMI students returned to school from their summer break in August 1988. I was returning for my last year at Rota High School. Three months later in
November, I was appointed student representative by the Honorable Governor Pedro P. Tenorio.
Page 25 of the February 3, 1989 issue of Marianas Variety News published an article about my appointment.
The Chairman of the Board was Mr. Luis Limes. The Vice Chairman was Mr. Juan B. Tudela who later became mayor of Saipan. The other elected board members were Anicia Tomokane of Saipan, Ray Cing of Tinian and Jesus Taisague of Rota. Margaret Levy of Mount Carmel School was the teacher appointed to represent the private schools. Elizabeth Rechebei was the Commissioner of Education at the time. I was a member of the Board’s standing committees on Personnel/Fiscal and Legislative/Programs.
The facts presented attest that the provisions of Amendment 38 took effect in 1988 and I was appointed to the Board in 1988. That means I was the first ever CNMI student representative. If I am the first CNMI student representative on the Board, how could there be anyone else first from Rota?
As I stated earlier, it is not my intention to offend anybody. I just wanted to set the record straight and protect my reputation.
Thank you very much for your time and I kindly ask Marianas Variety to print this letter to clarify the facts.
BARRIE CUTHBERT TOVES
Former Student Representative (1988)
Sinapalo II, Rota
