(PSS) — The Public School System and the Board of Education honored the school district’s administrative personnel on Friday in an activity that gathered all of PSS’s frontline office personnel in one celebration.
Facilitated by the PSS Human Resources Office led by Director Lucretia B. Deleon Guerrero and the Finance and Budget Office led by Director Arlene Lizama, the 2021 Administrative Professionals professional development activity was held at Fiesta Resort & Spa on Saipan.
Each year, Administrative Professionals Day is usually celebrated at each school. This year, a CNMI-wide event was held to honor the “backbone” of the school district.
“It is your organizational skills and commitment that are critical to the day-to-day operations of our 20 elementary, middle and high schools on Saipan, Tinian and Rota, and our PSS Central Office — you ensure that they are running efficiently and effectively,” Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada said in his remarks honoring the more than 80 administrative personnel in attendance.
“You all are a key part in the overall success of our school district,” Dr. Ada added.
Chairman of the Board of Education Andrew L. Orsini said the administrative personnel see to it that all the children who attend public schools receive the quality of education that they deserve.
‘You are all incredible and hard working professionals that we couldn’t thank enough for your service to the children of this Commonwealth,” Orsini added.
The professional development program served as a “refresher” for PSS’s administrative professionals.
Among the topics discussed: time and attendance, policy and procedures on certification, overtime and compensation time.
The PSS Human Resources and Finance and Budget offices conducted presentations while PSS legal counsel Tiberius Mocanu fielded questions.
2021 State Support Staff of the Year Donald San Nicolas delivered the closing remarks.
Dorsha Palacios (Tinian Elementary School) Melba Vilaga (PSS Procurement and Supply), Julie Camacho (Tanapag Middle School), and Josefa “Josie” Mikel (William S. Reyes Elementary School).
Jenevieve Cruz (Kagman High School), Emilisa B. Norita (Marianas High School), PollyAnn Iakopo (Marianas High School), and Victoria Apatang (Saipan Southern High School).
Valerie T. Dela Cruz (Tinian Jr.-Sr. High School), Caitlin Tinney (PSS Human Resources Office), Louie Bautista (Kagman Elementary School), and Maria “Angie” Among (Chacha Oceanview Middle School).
Loriann Mesngon (Sinapalo Elementary School), Vanessa Lizama and Tatiana Palacios (both from Head Start/Early Head Start), Roque Pulido (William S. Reyes Elementary School), and Demy Catubay (Sinapalo Elementary School) with Commissioner of Education Dr. Alfred B. Ada.
Aurelia Marie Iguel (Office of Pupil Transportation), Marie C. Quitugua (Federal Programs Office), Laila Manibusan (Tinian Jr.-Sr. High School), and Lorie Baulechong (Special Education Program).
Dorsha Guinto (Saipan Southern High School), Elizabeth B. Aguon (AmeriCorps Program), and Mary Jane Taitano (Chacha Oceanview Middle School).
Cristalyn Acera (Dandan Middle School), Maggie Sarmiento (Tinian Elementary School), and John Babauta (Child Nutrition Program).
Valerie Malwelbug, Jocelyn Saures and Nikita Robert (all from the Board of Education), Charlene Valle (Oleai Elementary School), Olive Bateman (Tanapag Middle school), and Elizabeth Romolor (PSS Federal Programs Office).
Kevin Adachi (Koblerville Elementary School), Femie Rey (Hopwood Middle School), Ruby Hocog (Hopwood Middle School), Vilhelma A. Manglona (Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr.-Sr. High School), and Laura Matsunaga (Garapan Elementary School).
Patty Aguon-Cruz (Office of Curriculum and Instruction), 2021 State Support Staff of the Year Donald San Nicolas (San Vicente Elementary School), and Elsa Lynn C. Pangelinan (Procurement & Supply).
From the Head Start and Early Head Start Program: Lathania Angui (Director), Kimberly Duenas (Health Manager), Paulani Palacios (Education Manager), and Jolene Sablan (Family Manager).
Special Education Program Central Office: Natalie Suda, Esther Tilipao, Lorie Baulechong, and Director Donna Flores.
Board of Education Vice Chairman Sgt. Maj. Herman Atalig (Ret.), Mona Maratita (Saipan Southern High School), and Vilhelma Manglona (Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr.-Sr. High School).
Kaydee Manglona (Sinapalo Elementary School), Vilma Castro and Melba Village (both of PSS Procurement & Supply), Esther Tilipao and Natalie Suda (both of Special Education Program).
Chairman Andrew L. Orsini with Denicia Dela Cruz (Instructional Technology & Distance Education Program) and Myrna Babauta (Student Support and Services).
Angelica Atalig (GTC Elementary School), Shirley Cepeda (Tinian Jr.-Sr. High School), Jose Mikel (WSR Elementary School), and Alby Menor (Koblerville Elementary School). Not in photo: Bernice Babauta (Kagman High School).
Bobby Coldeen (Board of Education), Mona Maratita (Saipan Southern High School), Myrna Babauta (Student Support and Services), Danicia Dela Cruz (IT&DE), and Crispin Deleon Guerrero Jr. (Personal Responsibility Education Program).
Finance and Budget Team, Catherine Regalado (accountant), Ronna Erich (accountant), Naydine Aguon (payroll supervisor), D’anna Tudela and Fidelia Mafnas (personnel specialists) and Leslie Ada (personnel specialist).
PSS Finance and Budget Director Arlene Lizama and Human Resources Office Director Lucretia Deleon Guerrero.
Evonne Cabrera and Kimberly Camacho, both seated, from the Office of the Commissioner of Education. Standing: Nikita Robert and Jocelyn Saures, both with the Board of Education.
