Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698141768798.pdf (Micronesia, Federated States of)
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.

18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 The Honorable Wesley W. Simina Speaker, Nineteenth Congress Federated States of Micronesia First Regular Session, 2015 Dear Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Education, to which was jointly referred Presidential Communication No.

18-466 regarding the National Government’s Recommended FY2016 Budget, begs leave to report as follows: Presidential Communication No.
18-466 was transmitted to Congress with the National Government Fiscal Year 2016 Recommended Budget (“Budget Book”).

Pursuant to Rule 7, Section 3(b), of the Official Rules of Procedure of the Eighteenth Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia, your Committee has limited its review to those portions of the recommended budget relating to matters under its jurisdiction.

These are: A.

Department of Education 1.

Office of the Secretary 2.

Division of Basic Education & Accreditation 3.


Division of Career & Technical B.

Board of Regents COM-FSM C. Grants, Subsidies and Contributions.

1.

Aid to Non-Public schools 2.

Financial Assistance for FSM students at CMI 3.

Financial Assistance for FSM students at PCC 4.

National Scholarship SCRL 19-03/EDUCATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED BUDGET/FY2016 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.

18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 5.
National Close-Up 6.

National Merit Scholarship 7.

COM-FSM Annual Board Meeting D. Resources: Grants, Subsidies and Contributions 1.

COM-FSM Treaty Obligations E. Capital & Human Resources Development 1.

College of Micronesia-FSM 2.

FSM Fisheries and Maritime Institute 3.

COM-FSM-SEG 4.

National Department of Education a.

School Accreditation Project b.


Teacher Certification Project c. Assessment Project This report, and all previous and subsequent reports of your Committee, should be treated as reflecting policies of the Federated States of Micronesia, as defined by the Congress.

It is the intent of your Committee that any commentary found in this report should be treated as policy for the guidance of the department, agencies and entities.

The findings and recommendations of your Committee follow: I.
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS Your Committee notes that the FY2016 Budget Book was transmitted to the Nineteenth Congress on April 1, 2015.

During your Committee’s review of the Budget Book it has noted some inaccuracies, and these are detailed in the relevant portions of the report below.
Your Committee has prepared its recommendations for the above-cited items on the following breakdown of available funds: $428,812 from SEG for the National Department of Education, and $689,948 is available for COM-FSM from SEG.

Pursuant to P.L.

No.

18-57 the funding available for NDOE from the Compact Education Sector Grant for FY16 is zero, and the funding available for Education Sector Grant for FSM-COM is $1,000,000.

-2- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

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18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 Your Committee held public hearings with NDOE on May 20, 2015.

Your Committee also held a public hearing with the College of Micronesia-FSM on May 20, 2015.
Witnesses at the hearings included: the Secretary of the Department of Education his key staff, the President of COM-FSM and his key staff, and representatives from SBOC, representatives from the Department of Justice, and the Office of the President.

II.

FY 2016 BUDGET –SOURCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS A.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 1.


Office of the Secretary FY2015 Appropriated FY2016 President Recommends FY2016 Committee Recommends Personnel Travel Contract OCE Fixed Assets Total #of Employees $85,749 23,293 20,000 24,000 3,000 156,042 109,465 23,293 20,000 24,000 -0- 176,758 109,465 23,293 20,000 24,000 -0- 176,758 4 4 The President recommended a budget of $176,758 for the Office of the Secretary to be funded entirely from Domestic Revenue.

The Committee’s recommendations are discussed below.
Personnel: The positions and personnel have remained the same in the Office of the Secretary for several years.

There is a slight increase in the cost of personnel due to the COLA increase in FY16.

The Committee notes that the professional premium may not apply for the next Secretary; -3- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.


18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 however, it took decision to leave this increment to ensure this category is fully funded for the coming year.

With the above adjustments your Committee recommends Personnel to be funded for the Office of the Secretary for FY16 at $109,465.

Travel: The President recommends the same trips and the same budget for travel for the Office of Secretary in FY16 as was appropriated in FY15.
The Committee agrees that as head of the Department the Secretary should maintain this budget level.

The Committee recommends of $23,293 for travel for the Office of the Secretary for FY2016.

Contract: The President recommends the Office of the Secretary receive the same budget for contractual services in FY16 as appropriated in FY15.
The Committee has questioned the long-term contract for administrative services in the past, and again requests the Department to evaluate especially the number of administrative positions that it has.

The Committee believes that much of the clerical and administrative activities can also be transitioned to the States with the additional Compact funding.

In accordance with the above commentary, your Committee recommends contractual services for the Office of the Secretary at $20,000 for FY16.
OCE: Your Committee appreciates that the President has recommended to maintain the same budget for FY16 as FY15 for this category.

The Committee understands the difficulty in budgeting while facing rising costs.

Your Committee recommends $24,000 for OCE for the Office of the Secretary for FY16.

-4- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.


18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 Fixed Assets: The Committee concurs with the President’s recommendation of -0- funding in Fixed Assets for the Office of the Secretary FY16.

Your Committee recommends funding for the Office of the Secretary for FY2016 at $176,758 entirely from Domestic Revenue.

2.
Division of Basic Education & Accreditation FY2015 Appropriated FY2016 President Recommend 295,422 116,500 101,527 41,031 7,500 FY2016 Committee Recommend Domestic Revenue SEG Personnel Travel Contract OCE Fix Assets Total #Employee The President recommends a budget of $561,980 for the Division of Basic Education & Accreditation for FY2016; with $195,382 proposed to come from Domestic Revenue, and $366,598 from SEG.
The Committee recommendations are discussed below.

It is also noted that the SEG proposed funding for NDOE operations has been decreased for FY16 due to an anticipated cut in this source of funding.

Personnel Your Committee recommends Personnel to be funded for the Division of Basic Education & Accreditation for FY16 at $295,422, with $172,223 to be funded from SEG and $123,199 from Domestic Revenue.

There is a proposed increase in personnel for FY16 of an Administrative Assistant I.
The Department stated that the -5- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

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18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 President has suggested and strongly supports this new position to handle further administrative tasks related to Compact funding areas.

Although the Committee doubts the necessity of this at the National level as the Compact funding has transitioned to the States it concurs with the President’s recommendation at this time.
The Administrative Assistant I is classified at 32/1 and salary $13,628.

The remainder of the increase is due to the COLA increase for FY16.

Travel: At the hearing the Acting Secretary stated that there was a small increase in the proposed travel budget for FY16 due to increased travel expenses, but the trips and their purposes remained the same.
The Committee did make further inquiries as to whether the two trips to the JEMCO annual and mid year meetings were necessary as the Compact funding and activities rest at the State level.

The Acting Secretary stated that it was necessary to participate in presentations and meetings outside of the formal JEMCO meeting.

Regarding other trips your Committee strongly urges the Department to take extra measures this coming year to ensure that the proctors for the NMCT do their job fully and on a timely basis.
Reports from the States indicate that NMCT testing has not been completed on a full and timely basis in the past.

Your Committee is willing to concur with the President’s budget proposals for FY16, but will monitor the above issues during the coming year in its oversight hearings.

Your Committee recommends the FY16 Travel budget for the Division of Basic Education & Accreditation at $116,500, of this $76,000 is recommended to be funded from SEG, and the remainder of $40,500 to come from Domestic Revenue.
Contract: The Committee appreciates the President’s proposed decrease in budget for FY16 for contractual services for this -6- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.

18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 division.
However, during your Committee’s meetings in the States it has been repeatedly advised that the most valuable assistance the State Departments of Education receive from the National Government is funding for fuel for the outer islands trips regarding accreditation and the NMCT testing.

The funding for these trips were greatly reduced for FY16 by the President compared to the requests by the Department.
It is hoped that the accreditation and NMCT testing trips can be combined to cut costs, and it is also assumed by the Committee that the States themselves will be using a portion of the increase in Compact funding to complete these activities.

For these reasons your Committee concurs with the President’s recommendation.
Your Committee recommends the funding the Contractual Services budget for the Division of Basic Education & Accreditation at $101,527, with $88,159 from SEG and the remaining $13,368 to come from Domestic Revenue.

OCE: The Committee concurs with the Presidents recommendation to maintain the OCE budget for this division at the same level for FY16 as FY15.
Your Committee recommends funding for OCE for the Division of Basic Education & Accreditation for FY16 at $41,031, with $23,716 proposed to come from SEG, and $17,315 to be funded from Domestic Revenue.

Fixed Assets: In FY15 $40,700 was appropriated for this division for new computers so all the computers and software were coordinated.

The current FY16 request is $7,500 to follow up with computer related data monitor and system hardware.

The Committee believes this a reasonable proposal.


Your Committee recommends funding for Fixed Assets for the Division of Basic Education & Accreditation for FY16 at $7,500, to be funded $1,000 from Domestic Revenue, and the remaining $6,500 from SEG.

-7- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

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18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 For the reasons set forth in detail your Committee recommends $561,980 for the Division of Basic Education & Accreditation for FY2016, and it recommends that this amount be funded with $195,382 from Domestic Revenue and $366,598 from SEG.

3.
3.

Division of Career and Technical Education FY2015 Appropriated FY2016 President Recommend FY2016 Committee Recommend Personnel Travel Contract OCE Fixed Assets Total Employees # 33,630 8,000 45,151 12,802 1,000 100,583 2 36,317 15,000 46,866 12,802 2,000 112,985 2 36,317 15,000 46,866 12,802 -0- 110,985 2 The President recommends a budget of $112,985 for the Division of Career and Technical Education for FY2016.

The President recommends funding the entirety of this budget from Domestic Revenue.
Personnel: The two positions proposed for FY16 in this division are the same as funded in FY15.

The slight increase in the FY16 budget as proposed is due to the COLA increase.

Your Committee concurs with the President and recommends funding for Personnel for the Division of Career and Technical Education for FY16 at $36,317.

Travel: The President proposes a large increase in this category for FY16.
Your Committee understands that travel is necessary to implement the new guidelines and standards for career and technical education; however, it expected this to be completed in FY14 and FY15.

The Committee -8- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.

18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 strongly urges that the curriculum, standards and guidelines be completed this FY16 and the travel to implement them as well.
For these reasons, your Committee recommends $15,000 for Travel for the Division of Career and Technical Education for FY16.

Contract: The Committee notes that the contract services for this division have been more than personnel for two years.

In the May 2014 your Committee issued as Committee Report on the FY15 budget within your Committee voiced its displeasure at the slow pace of curriculum and standards and guidelines development for the career and technical instruction of our students.
Prior to FY14 this division did not have a chief for several years, and therefore, funding has been appropriated for a long time with little result.

Your Committee strongly supports career and technical training for our students, and admonishes this division for not meeting its goals in a timely manner.

The Committee now sets a deadline for a completion of the development of the curriculum, standards and guidelines for this division of September 2016.
For the reasons set forth above, your Committee recommends $46,866 for contractual services for the Division of Career and Technical Education for FY16.

OCE: The Committee was concerned that the proposed funding for this category was high as there are only two positions, however, during the hearing your Committee was advised that this category included all of the printing for the standards, guidelines, and training materials.
This category also includes a portion of the Department’s ADSL for this division.

Your Committee is satisfied with the Department’s response and recommends $12,802 for OCE for FY16 for the Division of Career and Technical Education.

Fixed Assets: Again, your Committee inquired as to why a new desktop computer and laptop was necessary for this division.

The Department stated that these would be used by consultants.

The Committee is frustrated at the -9- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.
19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.

18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 continued requests under fixed assets in the Department for computers and computer related materials.

Last year all of the computers were replaced in the Department at a cost of $40,700.

Certainly there are computers available for the staff and consultants to do their work.
For this reason, your Committee recommends no funding ($-0-) for Fixed Assets for the Division of Career and Technical Education in FY16.

For the reasons set forth above your Committee recommends the total budget for the Division of Career and Technical Education for FY2016 at $110,985, to be funded from Domestic Revenue in its entirety.

OVERALL BUDGET SUMMARY FY2016 – DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FY2015 Approp.
Personnel 360,782 144,531 Travel 218,671 Contract 77,833 OCE 44,700 Fix Asset 846,517 Total 20 # Employee FY2016 President Recommend 441,204 154,793 168,393 77,833 9,500 851,723 21 FY2016 Committee Recommend 441,204 154,793 168,393 77,833 7,500 849,723 21 B.

Board of Regents –COM-FSM Domestic Revenue SEG 78,793 80,234 54,117 1,000 268,981 172,223 76,000 88,159 23,716 6,500 483,125 366,598 9 12 The President ‘s recommendation for FY16 for the Board of Regents for COM-FSM is missing from the Budget Book.
The Chairman of the Board of Regents-COM-FSM stated at the public hearing held on May 20, 2015, confirmed the request remains the same as in FY15 at $105,000.

Your Committee notes that the Board of Regents’ budget is composed of travel expenses and training/orientation expenses required to meet the minimum standards of the accreditation authorities.

-10- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

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18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 Your Committee is satisfied with the budget for the Board of Regents COM-FSM for FY16, and recommends it be funded in the amount of $105,000 from Domestic Revenue, however, it strongly urges better proofreading and oversight by the President in the compiling of financial information in the Budget Book.
C. Grants, Subsidies and Contributions FY2015 Appropriated FY2016 President Recommend FY2016 Committee Recommend 500,000 600,000 600,000 25,000 25,000 40,000 50,000 50,000 150,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 70,000 75,000 75,000 300,000 300,000 150,000 5,000 -0- 5,000 2,950,000 3,050,000 3,020,000 Aid to Non- Public Schools Aid to CMI Students Aid to PCC Students National Scholarship National Close-Up Merit Scholarship COM-FSM Board Mtg Total The President’s Budget Book recommends funding for FY16 for Grants, Subsidies and Contributions for the National Department of Education in the total amount of $3,050,000, to be funded entirely from Domestic Revenue.
The commentary from your Committee follows: -11- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

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18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 Aid to Non-Public Schools: The President has proposed an increase in aid to non-public schools for FY16 to $600,000.
During the hearing NDOE stated that the number of private schools and students have remained the same, however, the increase is to offset the increase in cost of maintaining the schools and delivering quality education.

In the past the Committee has clearly stated it supports the development and education of all our Nation’s children, whether they attend public or private schools.

The Committee is satisfied that there is increase need for funding for our private schools throughout the Nation.
Your Committee concurs with the President and recommends a contribution to our non-public schools in the amount of $600,000 for FY16.

Aid to CMI Students: In December 2014 a delegation meet with our students at CMI and was advised that the current level of financial assistance was not enough to cover their needs.

Particularly unfortunate were cases where students stated that the assistance was not enough to cover even a modest food budget.
The Committee has requested the Scholarship Division to maintain better contact with our students studying abroad.

At the hearing the Acting Secretary agreed that additional funding is necessary to cover expenses after the Pell Grant and other sources were accounted for.

The Committee strongly urged an assessment be done regarding our students at CMI.
Your Committee finds the $25,000 contribution is not sufficient to meet our students’ needs, including the students at all branches of the CMI campus, such as the Agriculture and Technical Departments, and is proposing an additional $15,000 be appropriated above the President’s recommendation.

Therefore in consideration of the above findings your Committee recommends funding of the contribution to our students at CMI, in the amount of $40,000 for FY16 from Domestic Revenue.
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19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.

18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 Aid to PCC Students: Your Committee has, for several years now, attempted to understand the exact balance of outstanding debt of our students at PCC, and the policy guidelines our students and PCC are operating under.

The December 2014 Delegation also traveled to PCC to meet with that college and our students there.
At that time the Delegation made known to the college and our students that the National Government would not be providing assistance for students who did not at least make the minimum grade point average to qualify for the Pell Grant.

Earlier in 2014 the NDOE Scholarship Division had assured the Committee that revised scholarship and financial assistance guidelines had been communicated to PCC and our students attending there.
The Committee does not have confidence that this was done in an adequate manner as the students attending the meeting with your Committee’s delegation in December 2014 were not aware of any changes.

At the hearing regarding this budget item for FY16 your Committee did not receive a reconciled balance regarding the outstanding debt owed by our students at PCC.
It was advised that the initial balance transmitted by PCC had been decreased after meetings to reconcile the balances between PCC and NDOE Scholarship Division took place.

There may be approximately $500,000 outstanding at this time.

The Committee strongly urges the Scholarship Division to make this issue a priority.
The Scholarship Division needs to: 1) reconcile the outstanding balances with PCC and come to an agreed amount for the past debt, 2) ensure that the new guidelines for GPA and academic performance are enforced, and 3) work with PCC to priorize the payment of debt for graduated students so they can receive their transcripts.

At the next opportunity for oversight the Committee expects resolution of these issues.

-13- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.


18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 Although the Committee realizes that substantial additional funding may be needed to resolve the outstanding debt issue it concurs with the President and recommends $ 150,000 for financial support for our students attending Palau Community College for FY16, with $100,000 to be used immediately to retire debt for graduates and new graduates this May 2015 so they may receive their transcripts.
The remaining $50,000 should be used to keep current with the expenses for this fiscal year.

National Scholarship: The Committee is pleased that the President has again recommended $2,000,000 for National Scholarship for FY16.

There is a growing need for additional scholarship funding for our students as the decrement from State scholarship funding under the Compact and the continued rising cost of higher education take their toll on the already limited resources of our students.
Your Committee strongly recommends funding at the level proposed by the President.

The concerns that the Committee has with the Scholarship Division, including late disbursement of checks and lack of communication with student scholarship reciepants, does not change the needs of the students, and are matters for oversight in the next session.

The Committee strongly recommends $2,000,000 for National Scholarship for FY16.
National Close-Up: Your Committee fully supports this program to give our most gifted high school students the opportunity to see their National Government at work, and to inspire them as future leaders.

The Committee was advised by the NDOE at the hearing on this budget item that the $75,000 recommended by the President would be sufficient to continue all activities of National Close-Up in FY16.

Your Committee recommends $75,000 for National Close-Up for FY16.
Merit Scholarship: Your Committee strongly supports the Merit Scholarship Program and is pleased that the Department has advised it that a total of 12 students will be receiving the Merit Scholarship for the 2015/2016 school -14- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.

18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 year.
The Committee, however, was advised that currently there is a balance of approximately $297,000 in the Merit Scholarship Fund due to the low number of receipants during the first years of the scholarship program.

As the scholarship program is showing a significant balance the Committee recommends a reduction in the appropriation for this coming fiscal year only.

Therefore, your Committee recommends the $150,000 for the Merit Scholarship for FY16.
COM-FSM Annual Board Meeting: Although not recommended for funding for FY16 by the President your Committee recommends funding the COM-FSM annual board meeting in the amount of $5,000.

The Committee notes that funding the annual board meeting is a part of the agreement among regional land grant colleges and should be appropriated every year.

Again, the Committee requests that more proofreading and editing be done to prevent errors in the Budget Book.

D. Resources: Grants, Subsidies and Contributions 1.
COM-FSM Treaty Obligation Your Committee recommends funding $25,000 for COM-FSM Treaty Obligations, which remains the same as in past years.

The source of this funding is from Domestic Revenue.

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18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 E. Capital & Human Resources Development FY2015 Approp.
FY2016 President Recommend FY2016 Committee Recommend FY2016 Domestic FY2016 Sector FY2016 SEG 794,203 683,346 COM-FSM 3,800,000 3,800,000 3,800,000 2,800,000 1,000,000 -0- -0- -0- FSM-FMI -0- 683,948 COM-FSM SEG NDOE Project Total 5,559,888 5,712,863 5,712,863 4,028,915 1,000,000 683,948 833,915 683,948 833,915 683,948 833,915 -0- 282,339 395,000 395,000 395,000 -0- -0- 1.
College of Micronesia-FSM A public hearing was held on May 20, 2015 regarding the proposed funding requests for FY16 for COM-FSM and the Board of Regents COM-FSM.

The President recommends funding for the operations of the College of Micronesia-FSM in the amount of $3,800,000.
This amount represents the same funding level as in prior years, however, it was confirmed by the President of COM-FSM and SBOC at the hearing that $2,800,000 is proposed to be funded from Domestic Revenue, and $1,000,000 from the available Education Sector Grant.

Your Committee was advised by the College that a new set of higher accreditation standards are being put in place by its regional evaluator.
In order to maintain accreditation additional work regarding campus infrastructure, course/program assessment and financial sustainability, among others, must be done.

The President of COM-FSM acknowledged that enrollment and graduation rates for the College have declined and this is another matter that needs attention in the next year.

The President stated that although he understands the Nation’s financial constraints the current funding request will need to be supplemented from other sources.
The College continues to work on the creation of a foundation and looking for other outside donors.

-16- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

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18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 The College stated that not all programs and degrees are viable given the student populations at the several campus, and now that they are no longer on sanction they are doing an institution-wide evaluation.
An example, of the changes that will take place in the future is the shift to use the Pohnpei State Campus as the site of the majority of the vocational and technical programs.

The Committee continues to see progress in the right direction at COM-FSM.

For the reasons set forth above your Committee recommends funding for COM-FSM for FY16 at $3,800,000, with $1,000,000 recommended to come from the Compact Sector Grant, and $2,800,000 from Domestic Revenue.

2.
2.

FSM-Fisheries and Maritime Institute (FMI) Your Committee endorses the President’s recommended funding for the operations of FSM-FMI at $833,915 for FY16.

The witnesses from COM-FSM stated at the hearing on this budget item that the expanding capacity and addition of female students has required renovations to the campus and due to lack of space some of the faculty now must be housed off campus.

There additional costs for students and faculty for the upcoming school year.

3.
3.

College of Micronesia-FSM SEG Funding Your Committee recommends SEG funding for College of Micronesia-FSM in the amount of $689,948 for FY16.

The use of funds is for SEG work-study, student assistance, and teacher corps.

The Committee was advised during the hearings on the budget that the SEG award for FY16 will face an approximately 5% decrease from previous years, however, as noted above that was decremented from the operations budget of NDOE.

4.
4.

National Department of Education Projects -17- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.

18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 The President recommends $395,000 or FY16 for three projects proposed by NDOE, which are 1) School Accreditation $100,000, 2) Teacher Certification $168,000 and 3) $127,000 for an Assessment of the NMCT courses.

The Committee continues to be concerned at the slow pace of the school accreditation process.
NDOE stated that just over 60% of the Nation’s schools are accredited, however, of the schools reviewed this year none have passed the accreditation standard.

The Committee, again, requested the Department move this forward.

NDOE is requesting the current funding for a project to assist the schools that are struggling on special measures after not meeting their accreditation standards.
The funding would also be used in part to reward schools that have done very well to provide incentives such as additional equipment and materials.

When questioned the Department stated that this project did not meet the criteria for use of the unallocated Compact funding at the State level, and therefore, needed to be provided by the National Government.
The Committee strongly supports the school accreditation, however, in recommending further funding for this project urges NDOE to ensure that at least 75% of the Nation’s schools pass the basic accreditation process by the end of FY16.

For these reasons the Committee recommends funding of the School Accreditation Project at $100,000 for FY16.
The Department requests that a project be funded for additional teacher training to assist in the certification of the remaining 828 teachers who are not certified in our Nation’s schools.

When the Committee commented that the number of certified teachers have not increased NDOE confirmed that unfortunately some teachers previously claiming to have a degree did not in fact have one.
Your Committee strongly requested that NDOE institute a penalty for schools that do not meet accreditation standards and continue to employee uncertified teachers.

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18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 In light of the Nation’s needs for teachers, particularly in the outer islands, your Committee recommends funding in the amount of $168,000 for the teacher’s certification providing that the number of teachers certified is dramatically increased during this fiscal year.
The Committee was advised during the hearing that the Assessment Project was to develop the Social Studies curriculum standards and benchmarks for K-12 grades.

Your Committee very pointedly stated that curriculum development had been going on for years and cited that over ten years ago it was aware that the Social Studies curriculum was being reviewed.

The Department stated that there may have been a review of the program but no curriculum had been developed.
Your Committee understands that this is necessary and was assured that this curriculum would be completed within the next fiscal year.

With the above understanding your Committee recommends the full $127,000 for the Assessment Project for FY16.

-19- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

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18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 III.
SUMMARY OF BUDGET DISTRIBUTION BY FUNDING SOURCES RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FOR FY2016 Description Domestic Revenue Compact Education Sector Grant Supplemental Education Grant (SEG) Federal Funds NDOE: Office Secretary NDOE: Basic Ed & Accred.

NDOE: Career & Technical NDOE: Specialized Services Board of Regents-COM Aid to Non- Public Schools CMI Students PCC Students National Scholarship National Close-Up Merit Scholarship COM-FSM Board Mtg.
COM-Treaty COM-FSM FSM-FMI COM-FSM SEG NDOE Projects Total 176,758 195,382 110,985 -0- 105,000 600,000 40,000 150,000 2,000,000 75,000 150,000 5,000 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- 366,598 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- 25,000 2,800,000 833,915 -0- -0- 1,000,000 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- 689,948 395,000 -0- -0- 7,662,040 1,000,000 1,056,546 -20- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.
19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.

18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 IV.

SUMMARY OF PRESIDENT’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET REQUESTS COMPARED TO COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS The following budget summary reflects your Committee’s recommended funding levels compared to the President’s Recommended Budget Requests for areas of the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget under the purview of your Committee on Education.

Description NDOE: Office Secretary NDOE: Basic Ed & Accred.
NDOE: Career & Tech NDOE: Specialized Services Board of Regents- COM Aid to Non-Public Schools CMI Students Assistance PCC Students Assistance National Scholarship National Close-Up Merit Scholarship COM-FSM Board Mtg.
COM-FSM Treaty COM-FSM COM-FMI COM-FSM SEG NDOE Projects FY2016 President Recommended FY2016 Committee Recommends 176,758 561,980 112,985 -0- -0- 600,000 25,000 50,000 176,758 561,980 110,980 -0- 105,000 600,000 40,000 150,000 2,000,000 2,000,000 75,000 300,000 -0- 25,000 3,800,000 833,915 689,948 395,000 -21- 75,000 150,000 5,000 25,000 3,800,000 833,915 689,948 395,000 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.


18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 Total 9,645,586 9,718,581 V. CONCLUSION Your Committee on Education has carefully reviewed the President’s Recommended FY2016 budget and all of the supplemental information provided by the Executive and the entities within your Committee’s jurisdiction.
The recommended sums set forth above reflect your Committee’s recommendations on the level of funding for the designated activity, program or project for all of Fiscal Year 2016.

Subject to the conditions and limitations set forth herein, and subject to the availability of funding, your Committee on Education recommends approval of the amounts and source of funds identified as Committee Recommendations.

-22- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-02 RE: PRESIDENTAL COMMUNICATION NO.


18-466/EDUCATION SUBJECT: FY2016 RECOMMENDED BUDGET MAY 27, 2015 Respectfully submitted, /s/ Joseph J. Urusemal Joseph J. Urusemal, chairman /s/ Ferny S. Perman Ferny S. Perman, vice chairman /s/ Florencio S. Harper Florencio S. Harper, member /s/ Bonsiano F. Nethon Bonsiano F. Nethon, member Paliknoa K. Welly, member /s/ Wesley W. Simina Wesley W. Simina, member -23-