Head Start retention problem raised before BOE

The CNMI Head Start Program is struggling to retain staff, prompting program officials to seek approval from the Board of Education for retention incentives, but the board deferred action and later cut its March 13 meeting short after losing a quorum.

Head Start Program director Lathania Angui told board members the program has seen a sharp rise in resignations in recent years and needs incentives to stabilize its workforce.

“For the staff retention incentive, we are requesting to mitigate turnover, boost morale, and recognize additional responsibilities assumed by remaining staff,” Angui said.

She said the number of resignations has climbed steadily over the past three school years: nine in 2023-2024, 14 in 2024-2025, and already 20 in the current 2025-2026 school year.

The proposal seeks to provide one-time incentives to employees who commit to remain with Head Start for 12 months. Staff who leave before completing the commitment would be required to repay the incentive on a prorated basis.

Angui said the proposal mirrors retention incentives previously implemented by the Public School System but expands eligibility to include provisional and temporary Head Start employees.

The staffing shortages have forced administrators and other personnel to step into classrooms to maintain required staff-to-student ratios.

“In December we lost our only classroom teacher. So Tinian right now is operating with zero staff,” Angui said, noting that Saipan personnel are being sent to the island weekly to substitute.

Despite the urgency described by program officials, BOE vice chair Anthony Barcinas questioned whether approving incentives was the right approach while the program continues to lose workers.

Board member Andrew Orsini later suggested tabling the matter, saying board members still had numerous questions about the proposal and noting that the Head Start budget does not need to be finalized until July.

Members agreed to defer action and instead submit their questions in writing so program officials can respond before the issue returns to the board.

The meeting itself was cut short after BOE member Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong had to leave, leaving the board without a quorum and forcing the meeting to adjourn.

Because of the early adjournment, the board was unable to tackle several agenda items, including discussion and possible action on implementation and enforcement of the CNMI Supreme Court slip opinion interpreting the constitutional requirement that at least 25% of general revenues be appropriated for public education.

Also left unaddressed were proposals related to a four-day school week for School Year 2026-2027 and the Title I site-based decision team, as well as items on the Micronesian Islands Forum Regional Education Summit and the CNMI Long-Term Resident Employment Authorization Document program.

The shortened meeting marked the second consecutive session that ended prematurely. The board’s previous meeting was also cut short due to an island-wide power outage.