(PSS) — The Council of Chief State School Officers gave the CNMI Public School System an opportunity to appear before the nation’s education leaders and policymakers during the CCSSO Legislative Conference at Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. on March 25-27, 2025.
PSS was the main host and presenter at the dinner reception, which took place during the CCSSO’s largest annual gathering of America’s state education officials: secretaries of education, education superintendents and chiefs, federal education liaisons, and communication directors. Joining them were several members of the U.S. Congress, including the CNMI’s Kimberlyn King-Hinds.
It was the the first time that CCSSO featured PSS.
In a statement, CCSSO Chief Executive Officer Dr. Carissa Moffat Miller, said: “I visited the Commissioner in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and met his team and learned the history of his beautiful territory. Commissioner [Lawrence] Camacho is an impactful leader, and I was grateful he accepted my invitation to share the territory’s story with his colleagues from around the country at CCSSO’s Legislative Conference.”
During PSS’s multimedia presentation, Camacho provided the opening and closing remarks.
On the first and last days of the event, March 25 and 27, small group dinners were held to allow participants to network.
PSS’s presentation was the main highlight of the conference’s second day on March 26, drawing an audience that included CCSSO board members, chief state school officers, federal liaisons, and members of the U.S. Congress.
Besides Camacho, the other PSS presenters were Federal Programs Officer and Federal Liaison Jacqueline P. Che, Special Education State Director Donna M. Flores, and Teacher Representative Dr. Dora B. Miura.
U.S. Congresswoman King-Hinds said it was “wonderful meeting with Dr. Camacho…and other PSS leaders while they were in Washington for the Council of Chief State School Officers Legislative Conference. We had an important conversation about the proposed dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education and the potential shift of funding and resources directly to states and territories. No one understands the needs of our students better than the leadership of our main educational institutions — PSS, NMC and NMTech. Making sure they can manage federal resources — and, most importantly, invest in our students — is critical to the future of education in the CNMI.”
After dinner, Commissioner Camacho met with U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
PSS presentation
In its presentation, PSS discussed the evolution of public education in the Northern Marianas across the following eras: (I) the pre-war period, highlighting Spanish, German, Japanese and American influences; (II) the post-war reconstruction phase, focusing on how islanders began receiving education after World War II; (III) the Trust Territory administration and the Covenant establishing political union with the U.S.; and (IV) the establishment of an independent Public School System.
CNMI students, teachers, parents, and the Board of Education were also showcased as well as the innovations in student learning and teaching.
BOE Chairman Aschumar Kodep Ogumuro-Uludong’s pledge to bring in more resources for public education was also noted during the presentation.
Aspirations
CCSSO Chief Executive Officer Miller introduced Dr. Camacho as the main speaker and presenter.
In his remarks, Camacho said: “It is with great pride and honor that I share the history, the aspirations, and the gratitude of our people, including our biggest stakeholders, the Chamorro and Carolinian students, that make up the diverse student population of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System.”
“Speaking in front of the country’s education leaders, advocates, and legislators is an unprecedented opportunity for us, and it is largely due to our friend and partner Dr. Carissa Miller and the Council of Chief State School Officers for providing the newest and smallest member of the Council with this platform,” Camacho added.
It was only 15 years ago when PSS was formally admitted to the CCSSO.
Camacho said PSS and the CNMI are grateful to the CCSSO and Dr. Miller for “providing us with this unique opportunity to demonstrate our greatest strength: providing our children with the best learning opportunities — just as you all do for your stakeholders: serving public school students to serve the community.”
PSS was accepted to the CCSSO in 2010, after then-Education Commissioner, Dr. Rita A. Sablan and PSSS Federal Programs Officer and Federal Liaison Tim Thornburgh vigorously pushed for the school district’s inclusion.
The CCSSO is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education across the U.S. — including the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions.
Friend and partner
In his remarks, Commissioner Camacho recognized the pivotal role of CCSSO CEO Miller in PSS’s participation in the conference.
In November last year, Miller was invited by Camacho to visit Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
In January, it was Miller’s turn to invite Camacho to the CCSSO Legislative Conference.
“As you may recall from previous meetings, we typically ask local chiefs to serve as hosts for each member meeting to shine a spotlight on the great work happening in schools in that local state/community,” Miller told Camacho. “This year we would be honored if you would serve as the host member for our Legislative Conference to feature the work of CNMI,” she added.
The banquet hall was tastefully set up by the CCSSO organizing committee for PSS’s presentation. Every table in the expansive dining hall was elegantly decorated with floral centerpieces, each adorned with miniature CNMI flags.
In his closing remarks, Commissioner Camacho said, “We will keep working to make our schools more accessible to the community so that our students may get the support they require to thrive. Our collaboration with our stakeholders will continue, especially with you, the Council of Chief State School Officers, one of our most important partners. We have developed high school career pathways to provide our learners with educational opportunities that will help the Northern Mariana Islands’ children prepare for college and the workforce.”
“As educators,” he added, “we have a common vision, which has guided us in the Northern Marianas Islands for the past 37 years and is what keeps us dedicated today: Students first, Educators Always.”
Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho met with U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who received an official wood-carved logo of the CNMI Public School System as a token of PSS’s appreciation.
A friend and partner of PSS, Council of Chief State School Officers Chief Executive Officer Dr. Carissa Moffat Miller, center, receives a wood-carved logo of the CNMI Public School System from Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho. Also in photo are PSS Federal Programs Officer and Federal Liaison Jacqueline P. Che, Special Education Director Donna M. Flores and Teacher Representative Dr. Dora B. Miura.
The CNMI Public School System’s historic appearance at the Council of Chief State School Officers Annual Legislative Summit took place on March 26 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. Led by Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, PSS provided a multimedia presentation about its history and achievements.
During PSS’s presentation, the banquet hall’s dining tables were adorned with flower centerpieces and miniature CNMI flags.
