(PSS) — Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho announced that select Fiscal Year 2025 Consolidated Grant formula funding — which had been withheld pending review since July 1, 2025 — will be released beginning the week of July 28, 2025.
These critical funds will ensure the continuation of vital programs and services for the current 2025–2026 school year, according to the U.S. Department of Education in a notification sent to Camacho and PSS Federal Programs Officer Jacqueline Che over the weekend.
“The release of these funds is crucial for the Public School System to maintain operations and support our students effectively. Even with this release, we must remain vigilant in our financial management to ensure sustainability in the coming years,” Camacho said.
The withheld funding under the Consolidated Grant supports several key programs: Title I-C for Migrant Education, Title II-A for Supporting Effective Instruction, Title III-A for English Language Acquisition, and Title IV-A for Student Support and Academic Enrichment. PSS is committed to using these funds responsibly to sustain educational programs and services for students and schools.
PSS’s Consolidated Grant directly supports all public elementary, middle, and high school students, maintaining 20 campuses across Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. It also funds supplemental federal programs and provides equitable services to private, non-public schools.
Cost-cutting expanded
Camacho said in light of ongoing financial uncertainties, PSS is also expanding its cost-cutting initiatives.
This includes implementing a strict no-travel policy for all employees, with exceptions made only for essential, grant-funded travel that meets specific criteria.
“We must adapt to a new mindset regarding the use of federal funds due to several factors, including the expiration of ARPA funds, potential federal budget cuts, and local funding constraints,” said Camacho.
He said PSS will conduct a thorough review of all federally funded programs to identify areas for reallocation or reduction, ensuring that core services remain uninterrupted. The PSS leadership emphasized the need for stringent fiscal controls in light of the approaching fiscal cliff.
“Schools and programs must exercise strict fiscal control and spending, as the uncertainty surrounding our federally funded formula grants continues to grow,” Camacho added.
PSS faces several challenges that will affect operations beyond the 2025–2026 school year, including the expiration of American Rescue Plan Act funds, proposed federal budget cuts, shifting federal policies, and declining student enrollment. These factors necessitate a proactive approach to financial management to maintain operational stability and fulfill the constitutional mandate of providing quality education, Camacho said.
