Since December, he said he has been working to secure enough federal assistance for PSS.
“If we succeed, you don’t have to worry about resources in the next 10 years. You will have enough money to do your work,” he said.
He added that his office has been working hard to get the funding PSS needs.
He noted that on Wednesday, President Obama signed a bill which allows PSS to get $8.3 million in federal funds this year.
The funds are intended to help cash-strapped school systems in the nation, including PSS, Sablan said.
He was invited to a gathering of PSS officials, school principals and librarians at the Hyatt Regency Hotel yesterday.
Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan said PSS has been closely working with the CNMI’s congressional office in the nation’s capital for the local school system’s development programs.
In the past fiscal year, she said, PSS received federal funds for various programs, including assistance for libraries.
“You will be receiving books and library materials because of the earmarked funds made available to PSS,” she told school principals and librarians.
Congressman Sablan said the CNMI will get $100,000 for school library books.
“It is difficult in Congress to find books for children because it’s very competitive,” he said.
However, he added, 80 percent of all the surplus books went to the commonwealth.
During the gathering, former Tinian High School principal Florine Hofschneider received a recognition of service award.
Hofschneider was commended for her years of dedicated service and contribution to the education of students.
