Facing a severe budget shortfall for FY 2026, Education Commissioner Lawrence F. Camacho is preparing emergency measures for the CNMI Public School System, including furloughs, reduced instructional days, and school consolidations.
PSS originally requested $49.285 million to operate its 20 campuses, supporting more than 1,000 staff and 8,000 students across Saipan, Tinian and Rota. However, the House of Representatives recently passed a $127.4 million appropriation bill that allocates just $31.7 million for education.
“We’re not going to be faced with $31.7 million come Oct. 1 and be unprepared,” Camacho said. “And pretend that we could still work or operate the same way that we’ve been operating with the same amount, we will not be able to.”
If funding remains at $31.7 million, PSS may declare a state of emergency, cut instructional days from 180 to 150, and cancel classes and staff work every Monday starting Oct. 1.
Among other cost-cutting measures proposed by PSS are furloughing vice principals, substitute teachers, counselors, school support employees, and central office staff. Likewise, PSS proposes freezing certification and licensure changes, suspending travel and delaying major repairs and capital projects.
