Ways and Means hears CNMI Public School System FY2026 request; officials warn of federal hold and budget shortfall

The House Ways and Means Committee heard a fiscal-year 2026 budget presentation from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (PSS) during a standing committee budget hearing called by Representative J.P. Sablan, chair of the committee. Commissioner Camacho asked legislators to consider a PSS request that totals about $49 million, and he warned that the system faces an uncertain funding picture because a portion of a $19 million federal consolidated grant is still under review.

PSS officials told the committee that their proposed FY2026 local request would fund 942 locally supported full‑time equivalents (FTEs) and that the system also operates about 304 federally funded positions. Commissioner Camacho said personnel — including administrators, teachers, librarians, counselors and program staff — account for roughly $42 million in the request, with about $7.2 million budgeted for other operating needs and $500,000 proposed for capital improvement project emergency work.

Why it matters: Committee members repeatedly raised that a constitutional 25% local‑funding expectation for education and the end of federal ARPA one‑time funding create a high risk of cuts. Committee members and PSS leaders said falling short on required local matches or losing more federal grant dollars could force reductions in services, staff or instructional days and would require notifying federal grantors and, potentially, declaring an emergency.

PSS and board updates: Ashumar Kodep Ogunura Oludong, chair of the CNMI State Board of Education, gave a six‑month update about board work including policy ratifications, an adopted artificial intelligence responsible‑use plan, principal rotations (a phased approach…