(PSS) — The Board of Education and the Public School System officially welcomed BOE’s newest member representing Rota, Daniel “Danny” Ogo Quitugua, who was sworn into office by CNMI Supreme Court Justice John A. Manglona on Friday morning.
Quitugua succeeds retired Army Sgt. Maj. Herman Manglona Atalig, who resigned in June to focus on his health. Atalig’s term would have ended in Jan. 2025. Quitugua ran unopposed in a special election held last month.
BOE Acting Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, BOE Member Andrew L. Orsini and Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho joined other education officials and stakeholders in witnessing Quitugua’s oathtaking ceremony in the BOE conference room on Capital Hill.
Students from different schools also took part in the oathtaking ceremony. The Kagman High School JROTC cadets presented the colors, the Marianas High School Glee Club performed the national anthem while Chacha Ocean View Middle School’s Chamorro Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies class sang the CNMI anthem.
Quitugua was first elected to the BOE in 1993, and became its chair.
Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, marked Quitugua’s official first day as a BOE member once again.
In his remarks, he thanked BOE and PSS officials, staff and students for the warm reception.
“I sincerely appreciate this occasion,” he said. “I thought that I would just be coming in and raising my right hand before the honorable Supreme Court justice and swearing to uphold the CNMI Constitution, the Constitution of the United States, and the Board of Education’s regulations and policies.”
Qiutugua also praised his predecessor for his contributions to public education in the Commonwealth as Rota’s BOE member.
“As you all realized, the term of office that I swear to uphold is the remaining four months of our former chairman representing the island of Rota, Sgt. Maj. Atalig,” Quitugua said. “I visited him before I decided to submit my [candidacy].”
Atalig “contributed time and effort to better the Public School System. And in that regard, I extend my sincere appreciation to him for all his efforts,” Quitugua said.
He pledged to work with his colleagues on the board and help the school district.
Quitugua said he will also work closely with the commissioner of education on several ideas that can help PSS.
CNMI Supreme Court Justice John A. Manglona, right, administers the oath of office to Daniel Ogo Quitugua as the newest member of the Board of Education representing Rota while Quitugua’s wife, Barbara D. “Bobbi” Iglesias, holds a microphone. The ceremony was held Friday in the BOE conference room on Capital Hill.
Rota Board of Education Member Daniel Ogo Quitugua and wife, Barbara D. “Bobbi” Iglesias, with CNMI Supreme Court Justice John A. Manglona, Board of Education Acting Chairman Gregory Pat Borja, BOE Member Andrew L. Orsini, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, and Public School System Senior Director Jackie A. Quitugua.
Rota’s new Board of Education member, Daniel Ogo Quitugua, center, with BOE Member Andrew L. Orsini, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and BOE staff.
Rota Board of Education member Daniel O. Quitugua, left, delivers his remarks after he was sworn in Friday.
