By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
COMMISSIONER of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho said he wants to celebrate with students by attending graduation and promotion ceremonies before he leaves the Public School System.
In a statement to Variety on Wednesday, the commissioner said, “Although my running mate, Edith Deleon Guerrero, and I announced our candidacy for governor and lieutenant governor, my focus right now is on our students, who deserve the best. I want to steady the course and celebrate them.”
The promotion of Grade 8 students and the graduation of Grade 12 students, along with all CNMI students this school year, Camacho said, “must be celebrated by everyone — it is our tradition.”
“Giving them the opportunity to enjoy this moment with utmost respect and recognition is paramount in our academic enterprise. In fact, let me use this opportunity to rally all officials and political leaders to join me in celebrating our future leaders, problem solvers, and designers of our great and wonderful Commonwealth,” the commissioner said.
Camacho expressed his intent to leave PSS during the nearly three-hour executive session of the Board of Education’s special meeting on Wednesday. During the executive session, according to the agenda, the board discussed a personnel matter, specifically the commissioner’s employment status.
The matter was included in the executive session following Camacho’s announcement on Saturday of his candidacy for governor. He is running as an independent candidate, with former Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero as his running mate.
BOE member Andrew Orsini, in an interview, said he wants to thank Camacho for his service and all that he has done for CNMI education during his two and a half years as education commissioner. “I wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor,” Orsini said.
Camacho’s contract, Variety was told, will end on June 10, 2026.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
