In a prelude to declaring an emergency for public schools, Gov. Charles Turnbull got a briefing this week from education officials on the "acute" problems facing the territory’s students and teachers.
According to a Government House release late Wednesday, Turnbull met with officials from the Education Department and Board of Education to discuss details of the state of emergency the governor intends to issue to "address the chronic and acute problems plaguing" public education.
Problems include shortages with food and textbook supplies, teachers, nurses, cooks, maintenance workers, school monitors and custodial workers. The lack of maintenance staff is hampering the spending of available repair and modernization funds, the release said.
"While I recognize that many of the other departments and agencies are suffering from a lack of personnel and resources to address critical needs, our children and education are the priority of this administration while I am governor," Turnbull said. "I intend to identify and devote the necessary resources to address the educational needs of our children."
American Federation of Teachers union leaders have been calling for the governor to declare a state of emergency in education for months. Last week officials from the national AFT met with Turnbull to discuss the issue and identify local and national revenue sources.
Local AFT leaders have said low pay and deteriorating conditions in the territory’s public schools are driving teachers out. They predict a shortage of educators when school starts in August.
Turnbull, meanwhile, said funds recently approved by the Senate in special session will be used to address the staff shortages. The governor also directed all agency and department heads to process all documents by next week to coincide with a follow-up meeting he has scheduled.
"We clearly have an emergency situation in a number of critical areas within the Department of Education," said acting Education Commissioner Dr. Noreen Michael.
