Although there are modifications on how reports are presented, Thornburgh said PSS has always been in compliance.
But the new reporting scheme, he said, requires more details and additional responsibilities.
Still, he added, “reporting through the electronic system is reasonable.”
Charles Hester, a grant management instructor, was on island last week for a series of workshops on managing grant.
Hester met with government auditors, financial managers and accountants from various agencies and departments to discuss federal administrative requirements that federal grant recipients must comply with.
He said ARRA grants require the use of the electronic system during the preparation of financial reports.
PSS stands to receive $3,600,675 in consolidated ARRA grant.
PSS allocated $150,000 for establishing an electronic data system with a central archive and search engine, and $120,000 for upgrading its Web site.
Thornburgh said PSS has been using the electronic system for its reports since 2004 on a quarterly basis.
Under the new system, he said, PSS will report on the details of the project, including the name of the contractor and the specifics of the work.
“The focus is on how we use the money to benefit PSS — it is a little more detailed,” he said.
The latest report submitted by PSS to the U.S. Department of Education was about the development of the state fiscal stabilization fund application for the CNMI, Thornburgh said.
CNMI Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan has reported that the CNMI was awarded $44.4 million in state fiscal stabilization funds, which are part of the ARRA grants.
He said PSS will receive 82 percent of this amount.
