SAIPAN — Public School System schools across the CNMI will not reopen for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year because of ongoing recovery challenges from Super Typhoon Sinlaku, Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho announced Monday.
The decision was reached after a leadership meeting with Key Management, district leaders and all school administrators earlier in the day, Camacho said in a memorandum to PSS employees.
“This decision was not made lightly,” Camacho said. “While there remains a strong desire across the district to welcome students back to campus, the overwhelming consensus among school leaders was that recovery efforts remain ongoing and that several circumstances impacting safe school operations continue to be beyond our control.”
A limited number of campuses indicated they may be ready to reopen sooner, but the vast majority of schools reported they are not yet ready to safely reopen, Camacho said. Leaders agreed on a unified, systemwide approach across all three islands.
Ongoing challenges at campuses include debris piles that have not yet been removed, classrooms and cafeterias requiring repairs, mold remediation that has not yet occurred at some sites, inconsistent electricity and running water, and other operational limitations. Some schools also continue to serve as community shelter sites.
LEARNING PACKETS AND MEALS CONTINUE
Although students will not physically return to campuses, PSS will distribute elementary and middle school learning packets Wednesday, May 13, at select sites across Saipan, Tinian and Rota to assist with learning loss and continued academic engagement at home.
PSS will continue providing Grab-and-Go breakfast and lunch meal services Monday through Friday across all three islands.
The district is also planning summer school opportunities, with priority support for at-risk students and those identified as needing additional intervention due to disruptions before and after the storm.
EARLY HEAD START RESUMES
The Early Intervention and Early Head Start programs will resume services beginning Monday, May 18, according to their existing calendar. In-person services will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dandan Early Head Start, Susupe Early Head Start and Tanapag Early Head Start.
Chalan Kanoa Early Head Start and Kagman Early Head Start are scheduled to resume in-class services on June 8.
The Head Start Program will continue providing modified remote services through June 5, including daily Grab-and-Go meals, weekly take-home learning packets, weekly in-person socialization, parent trainings, home visits, and mental health and wellness support.
EMPLOYEES, GRADUATIONS
Employees will continue reporting to work to finalize grades, complete inventories, close out the school year, prepare for summer school and continue campus recovery efforts. Camacho said immediate supervisors are empowered to exercise flexibility for employees still managing personal recovery challenges at home.
Graduation and promotion ceremonies will proceed as scheduled. Ceremony locations will be announced by the end of this week.
“While we deeply miss having our students back on campus, the safety, well-being, and long-term recovery of our school communities must remain our priority,” Camacho said.
