Op-Ed: Promises, Accountability, and the Question PSS Still Hasn’t Answered
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (PSS) proudly promotes its motto: “STUDENTS FIRST, EDUCATORS ALWAYS.” It is a statement that suggests integrity, transparency, and deep respect for the people who serve our students. Yet time and time again, PSS’s actions fail to reflect these ideals.
In August of last year, I brought forward serious concerns regarding communication failures, inconsistent onboarding procedures, delayed payments, and the lack of accountability across multiple divisions within PSS. These concerns were raised publicly, recorded in board meetings, and responded to in writing by the Commissioner of Education. The Commissioner outlined several commitments — improvements that were supposedly being implemented immediately.
But over a year later, a crucial question remains:
Were those reforms ever carried out, or were they simply written to quiet criticism until the next board meeting?
A System Exposed: Misclassification, Inconsistency, and Sudden Promotions Without Process
Recent commentary by Glenn Smith exposed the chronic HR misclassification plaguing PSS. Employees performing director-level duties are classified as managers, while others with limited oversight hold inflated titles. Experience and credentials are inconsistently applied. Years of service are routinely ignored. These issues violate §60-30.1-402 of the CNMI Board of Education Personnel Regulations — rules PSS is legally obligated to follow.
But misclassification is not the only symptom of dysfunction.
One incident during last year’s board meeting — the same meeting where I presented my advocacy — revealed a deeper problem: leadership making major personnel decisions behind closed doors and springing them onto the public without transparency or process.
During that meeting, without invitation, introduction, or fair warning, a curriculum writer was abruptly elevated to Program Manager — announced in real time to the surprise of everyone in the room, including:
• the curriculum writer herself
• the Board of Education
• the public
• and all stakeholders present
Only two people appeared aware this was coming:
the Commissioner and Jackie Quitugua, Senior Director of Instruction and Curriculum — the longest-serving PSS employee, having worked under multiple Commissioners across decades.
This sudden elevation was not part of the agenda. It was not discussed beforehand. It did not follow the transparent hiring protocols required by PSS policy. It was, in plain terms, a decision made in the shadows and unveiled in public as a fait accompli.
If PSS expects the public to believe it practices fairness and transparency, this is not how it demonstrates it.
Mottos Require Action — Not Secret Decisions
A system that truly values students first ensures that positions critical to instruction are filled through transparent and merit-based processes — not surprise announcements.
A system that values educators always does not blindside staff, the board, or the community with behind-the-scenes decisions that bypass protocol.
This incident, combined with the issues raised last year, reflects a culture where leadership acts first and explains later — if it explains at all.
Assurances Mean Nothing Without Results
In response to my advocacy, PSS leadership stated that communication protocols would be improved, onboarding streamlined, payments expedited, and managerial consistency enforced. These assurances were documented in writing.
But more than a year later:
• Where are the reports?
• Where are the updates?
• Where is the proof that these promises were kept?
Leadership cannot rely on well-crafted statements to replace actual performance. The public deserves to see results — not recycled assurances every time a new issue emerges.
Increased Funding Requires Increased Responsibility
PSS is now aggressively pursuing more government funding, including enforcement of its 25% allocation. Funding is important, but funding alone does not fix internal dysfunction.
Before asking the public for more resources, PSS must answer a fundamental question:
Has it demonstrated that it can manage its current responsibilities responsibly, equitably, and transparently?
Until misclassification stops…
Until communication is consistent…
Until hiring practices follow protocol…
Until sudden, unexplained promotions are no longer sprung on the public…
Until promised reforms are verified…
…the public cannot be expected to overlook ongoing structural failures.
The Question That Still Demands an Answer
My advocacy in August of last year was earnest. It was grounded in the belief that PSS could — and should — do better. I welcomed the Commissioner’s written commitments because I believed they reflected a willingness to improve.
But without transparency, without visible progress, and without accountability for decisions made behind closed doors, the truth remains unclear.
And so I ask again — on behalf of the community, employees, and the students PSS is supposed to serve:
Were those promised reforms ever implemented, or were they merely written to calm the moment, with no intention of being carried out?
The people of the Marianas deserve a school system that lives by its motto.
Educators deserve leadership that respects them.
Students deserve a system built on integrity — not assurances that vanish once the meeting ends.
If PSS truly believes in “STUDENTS FIRST, EDUCATORS ALWAYS,” then it is time to prove it.
Not in statements.
Not in promises.
But through action, accountability, and transparency.
Nothing less will do.
Gregorie Michael Towai
Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMI News Service or its staff. All assertions are the sole responsibility of the writer.
To submit an op-ed for consideration, email your piece to brad.ruszala@nminewsservice.com
Op-Ed: Promises, Accountability, and the Question PSS Still Hasn’t Answered
Op-Ed: Promises, Accountability, and the Question PSS Still Hasn’t Answered
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (PSS) proudly promotes its motto: “STUDENTS FIRST, EDUCATORS ALWAYS.” It is a statement that suggests integrity, transparency, and deep respect for the people who serve our students. Yet time and time again, PSS’s actions fail to reflect these ideals.
In August of last year, I brought forward serious concerns regarding communication failures, inconsistent onboarding procedures, delayed payments, and the lack of accountability across multiple divisions within PSS. These concerns were raised publicly, recorded in board meetings, and responded to in writing by the Commissioner of Education. The Commissioner outlined several commitments — improvements that were supposedly being implemented immediately.
But over a year later, a crucial question remains:
Were those reforms ever carried out, or were they simply written to quiet criticism until the next board meeting?
A System Exposed: Misclassification, Inconsistency, and Sudden Promotions Without Process
Recent commentary by Glenn Smith exposed the chronic HR misclassification plaguing PSS. Employees performing director-level duties are classified as managers, while others with limited oversight hold inflated titles. Experience and credentials are inconsistently applied. Years of service are routinely ignored. These issues violate §60-30.1-402 of the CNMI Board of Education Personnel Regulations — rules PSS is legally obligated to follow.
But misclassification is not the only symptom of dysfunction.
One incident during last year’s board meeting — the same meeting where I presented my advocacy — revealed a deeper problem: leadership making major personnel decisions behind closed doors and springing them onto the public without transparency or process.
During that meeting, without invitation, introduction, or fair warning, a curriculum writer was abruptly elevated to Program Manager — announced in real time to the surprise of everyone in the room, including:
• the curriculum writer herself
• the Board of Education
• the public
• and all stakeholders present
Only two people appeared aware this was coming:
the Commissioner and Jackie Quitugua, Senior Director of Instruction and Curriculum — the longest-serving PSS employee, having worked under multiple Commissioners across decades.
This sudden elevation was not part of the agenda. It was not discussed beforehand. It did not follow the transparent hiring protocols required by PSS policy. It was, in plain terms, a decision made in the shadows and unveiled in public as a fait accompli.
If PSS expects the public to believe it practices fairness and transparency, this is not how it demonstrates it.
Mottos Require Action — Not Secret Decisions
A system that truly values students first ensures that positions critical to instruction are filled through transparent and merit-based processes — not surprise announcements.
A system that values educators always does not blindside staff, the board, or the community with behind-the-scenes decisions that bypass protocol.
This incident, combined with the issues raised last year, reflects a culture where leadership acts first and explains later — if it explains at all.
Assurances Mean Nothing Without Results
In response to my advocacy, PSS leadership stated that communication protocols would be improved, onboarding streamlined, payments expedited, and managerial consistency enforced. These assurances were documented in writing.
But more than a year later:
• Where are the reports?
• Where are the updates?
• Where is the proof that these promises were kept?
Leadership cannot rely on well-crafted statements to replace actual performance. The public deserves to see results — not recycled assurances every time a new issue emerges.
Increased Funding Requires Increased Responsibility
PSS is now aggressively pursuing more government funding, including enforcement of its 25% allocation. Funding is important, but funding alone does not fix internal dysfunction.
Before asking the public for more resources, PSS must answer a fundamental question:
Has it demonstrated that it can manage its current responsibilities responsibly, equitably, and transparently?
Until misclassification stops…
Until communication is consistent…
Until hiring practices follow protocol…
Until sudden, unexplained promotions are no longer sprung on the public…
Until promised reforms are verified…
…the public cannot be expected to overlook ongoing structural failures.
The Question That Still Demands an Answer
My advocacy in August of last year was earnest. It was grounded in the belief that PSS could — and should — do better. I welcomed the Commissioner’s written commitments because I believed they reflected a willingness to improve.
But without transparency, without visible progress, and without accountability for decisions made behind closed doors, the truth remains unclear.
And so I ask again — on behalf of the community, employees, and the students PSS is supposed to serve:
Were those promised reforms ever implemented, or were they merely written to calm the moment, with no intention of being carried out?
The people of the Marianas deserve a school system that lives by its motto.
Educators deserve leadership that respects them.
Students deserve a system built on integrity — not assurances that vanish once the meeting ends.
If PSS truly believes in “STUDENTS FIRST, EDUCATORS ALWAYS,” then it is time to prove it.
Not in statements.
Not in promises.
But through action, accountability, and transparency.
Nothing less will do.
Gregorie Michael Towai
Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NMI News Service or its staff. All assertions are the sole responsibility of the writer.
To submit an op-ed for consideration, email your piece to brad.ruszala@nminewsservice.com