Donna M. Flores, center, background, the special program director of the Public School System, served as acting education commissioner for four months. Photo shows her presiding over a meeting with other PSS managers on Friday.
(PSS) — Board of Education members and school principals praised Interim Education Commissioner Donna M. Flores for ensuring that there was continuous and stable school district leadership for the past four months.
Lawrence Camacho, Ed.D., will assume the education commissioner’s position starting today, Monday.
“We are very fortunate that we live and work in a community where education is important, and this has continued on uninterrupted in the last four months when our current Special Education Program director, Donna Flores, led, guided and gave her heartfelt commitment and leadership to our Public School System as interim commissioner of education,” Board of Education Chair Antonio L. Borja said.
He thanked Flores for stepping into the interim role following former Education Commissioner Alfred B. Ada’s resignation due to health reasons.
The BOE unanimously appointed Flores as interim commissioner of education on Sept. 2, 2023.
“Along with our public education stakeholders, I am grateful to Director Flores for stepping up at a time when we needed a leader who could continue to steer PSS with its initiatives and programs, work with all our schools, with our parents and community,” Borja said. “Quite frankly, her service to our school district couldn’t be more emphasized by how she displayed a remarkably high level of professionalism, respect and steady leadership that hears and listens to her peers.”
BOE Secretary/Treasurer Gregory Pat Borja, who also chairs the board’s Fiscal, Personnel and Administration Committee, described Flores as “very competent,” and someone who took her additional responsibility “very seriously.”
“She looked at the system from a very big picture point-of-view, to see what changes are needed to make it run more efficiently, and I think she covered that,” the BOE secretary/treasurer said.
“I thought that she did a great job,” he added. “I’m really thankful to her for stepping into that position. I know it was a challenge…coming into a position such as that when things or some uncertainty was on the line. But again, she basically filled her own shoes…. We’re sad to see her go. However, to me personally, I’m happy to see her return to the Special Education Program because she is needed there. She has a wealth of experience and expertise in that field. All in all, I want to thank her because she did a great job.”
Biggest strength
“Her biggest strength is her willingness to listen to people and not to judge immediately,” said Vince Dela Cruz, Saipan Southern High School principal and the representative of high school principals.
He said Flores is a “a down-to-earth person who understands the schools’ situation. She knows her role…as part of support system. Although she is the leader of the system, she understands that she is there to support the programs and the schools.”
Dandan Middle School Principal James A. Sablan said he has worked with Flores for many years now, describing her as someone with a “high level of professionalism and is a strong leader.”
“To be honest, she was able to steady the ship,” said Sablan, the representative of middle school principals. “There was no chaos during her time.”
He said her “calmness and willingness to listen” ensured that schools operated continuously without interruptions.
“She performed very well because of her strong sense of professionalism and work ethic. She worked with us to make it easier for us to run our public schools,” Sablan said.
San Vicente Elementary School Principal Paulette Tomokane said Flores “is well-recognized for her unwavering support as interim commissioner of education. She played a crucial role in supporting our educational system to move forward with the least disruption. Her leadership, expertise, and collaboration inspired trust and confidence among school and central office leaders. Her collaboration and trust-building efforts ensured that all stakeholders felt valued and included, leading to improved outcomes. Her willingness to listen and approachable demeanor are qualities I truly appreciate as a principal and elementary school principal representative.”
Thank you
In her meeting with PSS managers on Friday, Flores thanked the school system leadership and the BOE.
“Thank you for all your support, and for giving me respect and showing respect to this office,” she said. “We are all here to serve our children and the community. I couldn’t have done it without respect for the job that I do, and for what we do, as a PSS community.”
She added, “Let’s welcome Dr. Camacho. He is excited and is looking forward to working with all of us.”
