Delegate-elect Kimberlyn King-Hinds, 2nd left, meets with public education officials led by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho and Board of Education Vice Chair Maisie B. Tenorio to talk about the partnership between the delegate’s office and the Public School System. Also in the photo are the delegate-elect’s incoming senior policy adviser, Matthew Deleon Guerrero, Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che, Finance Director Arlene Lizama, Human Resources Officer Jacqueline Che, and State Special Education Director Donna M. Flores.
PSS photo
DELEGATE-ELECT Kimberlyn King-Hinds assured CNMI education officials that she would advocate for the education needs of the Commonwealth in the nation’s capital.
In a meeting Thursday on Capital Hill, King-Hinds expressed support for the Public School System’s ongoing programs and initiatives that support the learning opportunities of nearly 10,000 elementary, middle, and high school students as well as the work of more than 1,000 staff members.
“We appreciate you for championing us and supporting us,” Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho told King-Hinds.
With Camacho in the meeting were Board of Education Vice Chair Maisie B. Tenorio, Associate Commissioner for Administrative Services Eric Magofna, Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che, Finance Director Arlene Lizama, Human Resources Officer Lucretia Deleon Guerrero, State Special Education Director Donna M. Flores, and Head Start/Early Head Start Director Lathania Santos, among other PSS officials.
“You are the champions of our students, and I will be your champion in Washington, D.C.,” King-Hinds told them.
“You (at PSS) are the subject-matter expert. I am here to help you get the job done to uplift our students, to be productive, responsible, and contributing citizens of our community,” she added.
She commended PSS for “all the hard work,” noting that “you already face a lot of pressure because you are responsible for the children of our community. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how stressful it is.”
During the meeting, Camacho updated King-Hinds about federal and local funds that PSS receives, its infrastructure and facilities as well as its programs, which include Special Education, Head Start, Chamorro-Carolinian Language and Heritage Studies, JROTC, and Child Nutrition.
Regarding the meeting with the delegate-elect, Camacho said: “This is just a very special moment for all of us to discuss and talk about how we can work together to continue serving our children, employees, and everyone that depends on our public education.”
King-Hinds agreed. “I do believe that a lot of people in our community are really dedicated and motivated, and I observe that PSS is really proud of the work that they do,” she said.
She will be sworn as the CNMI’s delegate to the 119th U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Her predecessor, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, did not seek a ninth term.
