Acting Commissioner of Education Charlie Kenty said under federalization, a lot of nonresidents — and their children — will have to eventually leave the islands.
This current school year, PSS noted a decline in enrollment following the relocation of hundreds of local residents to the states.
“We have a number of students — U.S. citizens — whose parents are nonresidents,” Kenty said. “If federalization comes in, that may force them to leave the islands…and they will leave with their kids.”
He admitted that a further reduction in enrollment may be good for PSS, which has been getting limited local appropriation.
“But as educators, our focus is on student learning,” he said. “What if these students leave and can no longer continue their education in the home countries of their parents? That’s something we don’t want to happen.”
