BOE fails to meet quorum as Austerity Monday begins

11/17/2025 - The CNMI Board of Education’s scheduled special meeting on Nov. 14 was cancelled after only three voting members—Maisie Tenorio, Andrew Orsini, and Antonio L. Borja—were present, falling short of a quorum.

The meeting, held via Zoom, had Tenorio attending from the BOE office on Capitol Hill, while Orsini and Borja joined remotely. Non-voting members John Blanco and Dora Miura were also present online.

BOE chair Aschumar Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong did not attend, and vice chair Anthony Barcinas was excused due to a family matter in Guam.

“Though we do have some pressing issues that we need to get through…all of those items are pretty important and need immediate attention. I know we’ve been trying to get this special board meeting going for a while now, so I apologize to everyone for having everyone come with no quorum,” said Borja, who serves as BOE secretary.

Tenorio, responding to Marianas Press, said she was disappointed the board failed to make quorum.

“The chair assured board members that we would have an opportunity to address our concerns as soon as we addressed the budget plan, which was approved at the last special BOE meeting. Today’s agenda included critical matters, a few of which the chair added. These past few months have been difficult, but I remain committed to doing the right thing and honoring my oath,” she said.

Orsini said BOE’s legal counsel will look into what options are available following the aborted meeting.

“Hopefully, next week, we should have something to consider as it arises,” he said.

For his part, Ogumoro said that one of the conditions for holding the special meeting was the submission of specific committee reports.

“Months ago, I requested board members for specific committee reports, needed for this mtg as well. [This was] to show what they've done as per their duties, responsibilities, and our bylaws.”

Addressing Public School System stakeholders, he added: “I stand by my decisions, actions, and expectation of transparency and accountability.”

Meanwhile, PSS confirmed that Austerity Monday school closures will begin today, Nov. 17, and continue every Monday until further notice.

“On these days, all PSS schools and offices will be closed, and there will be no classes,” the agency said.

The closures do not apply to several early childhood and nutrition programs. “Head Start/Early Head Start, Early Intervention, and Child Nutrition Programs, as well as Early Childhood Special Education Staff, are not affected and will continue with their regular schedules.”

The revised 2025–2026 school-year calendar includes 157 instructional days and identifies key holidays, teacher workdays, quarter dates, and student-teacher breaks. High school graduations and middle/junior high promotions will take place from May 27 to June 5, 2026.

To support families during closures, PSS will operate School Meals Grab and Go every Monday from 10am to 1pm at designated sites on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. Students must present a valid, current-year school ID to receive meals, which may only be collected once per day at their assigned area school. Parents may pick up meals on behalf of their children.

Report by Mark Rabago