By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Board of Education and the Public School System have given themselves until May 11, 2026, to decide on school reopening as they continue to assess conditions at every campus in the CNMI.
During a special board meeting at the PSS Disaster Recovery Program conference room at Marina Heights in Puerto Rico on Friday, Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho presented an overview of recovery efforts across all 20 schools and the PSS central offices.
Of the 20 schools from elementary to high school, two — Koblerville Elementary School and Daok Elementary School — were completely damaged. Electricity across all schools remained non-operational at the time of the meeting, while water supply issues persisted at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, Oleai Elementary School, Dandan Middle School, Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School, and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School.
Camacho also reported that immediately after the “all-clear” was issued following the super typhoon, principals were directed to conduct initial damage assessments at their respective schools, and all PSS staff were called in to prepare classrooms for deep cleaning and mold remediation. He said contracts were already in place for cleaning services as PSS central offices coordinate with each school.
The commissioner also presented three possible reopening scenarios: classes could resume once campuses are deemed safe and end as scheduled on June 10, 2026; schools could make up lost instructional days and extend the school year into the summer; or the school year could end early.
Student Representative Jude Burgos expressed his desire to see classes resume as soon as possible. Board member Antonio L. Borja of Tinian said he shared that sentiment but emphasized safety concerns, noting that many campuses still pose hazards.
Camacho said May 11, 2026, is the target date “to see where we are when it comes to cleaning and repairing” schools. That date, he told the board, “is a decision point whether to go right or left.”
BOE Chairwoman Maisie B. Tenorio asked members whether the May 11, 2026 date “makes sense,” and the board agreed. Members said they would seek further details from the commissioner regarding reopening plans.
Proactive measures
PSS Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che told the board her office took “proactive measures” two days before Super Typhoon Sinlaku by requesting federal funding flexibility from the U.S. Department of Education.
These requests included extending the federal fund spending period, reprogramming travel funds for immediate recovery needs, lifting the 15% cap on Title I Part A carryover funds, and seeking additional emergency assistance.
She said that, under the commissioner’s direction, she contacted the U.S. Department of Education before the typhoon made landfall to request waivers that would allow unspent prior-year funds to be used for immediate recovery, extend spending deadlines to prevent loss of federal funds during closures, and reprogram existing funds — including travel allocations — for emergency protective measures and Title IV Part A uses such as safety supplies and equipment needed for reopening.
Che added that she also plans to apply for additional disaster recovery grants.
For high-cost items such as generators and large-scale personal protective equipment or PPE, Che noted that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is often the primary funding source rather than the U.S. Department of Education.
“I put in a request for generators and PPEs as a plan B,” she said.
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.
