BOE Chairwoman Janice Tenorio, vice chairman Herman Atalig, members Andrew Orsini and Antonio Borja all voted in favor of Ada.
Member MaryLou Ada abstained. She did not attend the special board meeting held on Dec. 9 during which the commissioner’s performance was evaluated.
“The board is confident in your leadership ability and the direction you have taken the PSS,” Atalig told the commissioner.
He noted that the commissioner’s first year in office was marked by a global pandemic, an economic downturn and a significant budget shortfall. “But you continue to navigate these unprecedented times,” Atalig told the commissioner.
“It is necessary to have an effective and dedicated commissioner…who can lead 1,000 teachers, administrators and school staff and is responsible for almost 10,000 students,” he added.
He underscored Ada’s hardworking attitude, saying the commissioner works day and night and on weekends to make sure that PSS survives and provides the best education to its students.
Citing the positive evaluation by the board, Atalig moved for the BOE to retain Ada as education commissioner.
For his part, the commissioner thanked the BOE members for retaining his services. “Thank you for your faith in me,” he added.
Ada was hired by the BOE for the education commissioner’s position in January 2019. He signed a four-year contract that requires an annual performance evaluation.
