PSS moves to 64-hour workweek; no school Mondays starting Nov. 1 as FY2026 austerity begins

SAIPAN – In a memorandum released by PSS Commissioner of Education Lawrence F. Camacho, the Public School System announced it will shift to a 64-hour work schedule beginning Nov. 1, canceling all Monday classes and work until a revised FY2026 budget is approved. PSS has been operating since Oct. 1 under a $31.7 million local appropriation that Camacho described as insufficient to cover the real costs of operating 20 schools, serving more than 8,000 students, and employing nearly 1,500 staff. With a larger revision still under deliberation by the legislative and executive branches, the commissioner said the system must implement cost-cutting measures to stay within the set budget.

Under the change, there will be no school and no employee work on Mondays. If an Austerity Monday falls on a legal holiday, employees will receive holiday pay and the austerity day will shift to the next workday. PSS said the schedule will be adjusted if a revised budget is signed into law.

Several programs will continue on regular 80-hour schedules to meet federal requirements. Head Start/Early Head Start will maintain services pursuant to current performance standards and grant terms. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) teachers, aides, and related service providers will remain at 80 hours so PSS can continue to provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for children with disabilities ages 3-5 under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); preschools will remain open. The Early Intervention Program that serves infants and toddlers from birth to age three will also continue at 80 hours in accordance with IDEA Part C.

The Child Nutrition Program will keep operating to ensure student access to meals on austerity days. Grab-and-Go service is scheduled on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and will move to Tuesday if Monday is a holiday. Breakfast and lunch will be distributed together, and there will be no after-school snacks on austerity days. A current school-year student ID is required to claim meals; parents or guardians may pick up on behalf of their children with the original ID (no photocopies). Each student may claim one meal per day at one location.

For employees, PSS will issue an employment contract addendum detailing the 64-hour schedule and related measures. The addendum will be distributed by Tuesday, Oct. 28, and must be signed and submitted to the Human Resources Office by Friday, Oct. 31. Employees who fail to submit the addendum by the deadline will not be permitted to report to work until it is signed and returned. Anyone choosing not to sign must notify both their immediate supervisor and HR at PSSHR@cnmipss.org.

The memorandum states there are no anticipated changes to AETNA health coverage during the austerity period because Open Enrollment is expected in November; employees with questions may contact the CNMI AETNA Area Representative at Pacifica Insurance Underwriters (670) 234-6267.

Despite the austerity, the Payroll Section will strive to continue direct-deposit processing before the standard Friday pay date. Employees are strongly encouraged to submit signed timecards and leave forms to timekeepers by the Friday immediately preceding the time-entry week to avoid payroll delays. A revised SY2025–2026 K–12 calendar reflecting the Monday austerity schedule will be presented to the CNMI State Board of Education at its next meeting; once approved, PSS will distribute the updated calendar to employees, parents, and the community. The measures remain in effect until a revised FY2026 budget is approved.