(PSS) — The public schools on Saipan, Tinian and Rota are getting ready to welcome students back to class for the new school year, which starts on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
On Tuesday, Aug. 13, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho greeted teachers and staff who, after a brief summer break, officially reported for work to prepare for the opening of School Year 2024-2025.
It was the first day for the Public School System’s instructional staff — teachers, instructors, teacher aides and special education teachers.
Some of them, including school principals and vice principals, worked during the summer through the many supplemental programs offered by various schools in the CNMI.
Camacho said he is optimistic about the new school year, which will start with “no interruptions” as a result of the central government’s support for PSS’ $33 million budget request for fiscal year 2025.
“Schools are ready to open next week,” Camacho told Tinian’s PSS teachers during a return-to-school professional development training that was also held on Saipan and Rota.
“I am looking forward to a successful new school year,” he added. “And it starts with you all, who are out there, who are delivering for our students — from curriculum to the different programs that we have to support student learning.”
Tinian was the education chief’s first stop in his school visits to personally meet PSS’s elementary, middle and high school teaching and non-teaching staff as well as other stakeholders and partners.
Tinian Middle School and High School Principal Liz Perzinski said Camacho’s visit “was the best time and opportunity to ask questions” to PSS management, who are “our drivers on addressing issues about our needs for funding to support classroom learning and just about everything.”
Tinian Elementary School Principal Lou Connie Manglona said her school shares Camacho’s optimism.
With Camacho were PSS Senior Director for Curriculum and Instruction Jackie Quitugua, Human Resources Officer Lucretia Deleon Guerrero, Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che, Finance and Procurement and Supply Director Arlene Lizama, Special Education State Director Donna M. Flores, Instructional Technology and Distance Education Director Lorraine Catienza, and Senior Director for Accountability, Research and Evaluation Dr. Rizalina P. Liwag.
PSS’ 20 elementary, middle and high schools, including Head Start/Early Head Start centers on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, are expected to welcome between 9,000 and 10,000 students in the new school year.
Strong partnership
“I can officially share this good news,” Commissioner Camacho said. “We are good for fiscal year 2025. We have succeeded so far in getting our requested funding, as evidenced by our strong relations and partnership with the (Palacios-Apatang administration) and the Legislature. We know that the American Rescue Plan Act funding for PSS will be gone soon, and we made that clear to our partners when we submitted our funding request.”
He added, “The central government understood our needs and worked with us to ensure we don’t have to cut hours that will affect our schools’ instructional hours and all other factors that come with a lower budget.”
“This is really good news,” said a long-time Tinian educator, reacting to Camacho’s announcement.
“That means we won’t be able to cut our instructional time for our students, which is my worry if (PSS funding is reduced),” another classroom teacher said.
“Thankfully, we are safe. No one’s going to get cut,” added another teacher.
Appreciation
Commissioner Camacho said he is “so proud that we have a…Board of Education who supports our vision for our students, teachers, and staff. They recognize that you continue to give your best — that you excite, you motivate, and you develop learning, which makes our students confident…. This is the reason why we continue to drive support for our educators. On behalf of the Board of Education members, I and our PSS family extend their appreciation for all your hard work and everything that you do here for our Tinian, Rota, and Saipan students.”
Camacho likewise thanked and commended the schools’ support and maintenance staff. “You are valuable to our students, and your work is important to our students,” he said.
Camacho also talked about a plan to “right-size” school district personnel that will help mitigate the impact of funding challenges on the operation of the school system in future school years.
Tinian Middle School and High School instructional staff members led by Principal Liz Perzinski pose for a photo with Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho, seated center, Special Education State Director Donna Flores, Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che, Human Resources Officer Lucretia Deleon Guerrero, Finance and Procurement and Supply Director Arlene Lizama, Senior Director for Curriculum and Instruction Jackie Quitugua, and Instructional Technology and Distance Education Director Lorraine Catienza.
Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che speaks to Tinian Middle and High School teachers and staff.
Special Education State Director Donna Flores said “special education students are general education students” who desire to learn and succeed in school.
Finance, Budget, and Procurement and Supply Director Arlene Lizama talks about the need for continued prudent spending.
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence Camacho shares his hope for a successful new school year.
Senior Director for Curriculum and Instruction Jackie Quitugua talks about classroom instruction readiness.
Human Resources Officer Lucretia Deleon Guerrero said her office has an open-door policy for school district personnel.
Instructional Technology and Distance Education Director Lorraine Catienza said the school district has invested in several technology-based and online resources to further assist student learning.
Special Education State Director Donna Flores, left, listens to a Tinian Elementary School teacher.
