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What is more SAD is that PSS Principals have to find ways of making money for their school, and YES, selling Pizza is not the best way, but with lack of funding for schools to put gas in their vans, lawn mowers, repair classrooms, etc; where are they suppose to get the money? They accept contracts from Barney's and other's like them to fund these needs. It is sad that she abused her posistion as Principal. NOW the question is will PSS ALLOW a person responsible for millions of dollars in FEDERAL Special Education Moeny to remain in her position. Lets see. If you have a police record don't you fall into the non renewal catagory??? This has happened to others, lets wait and see.

I agree it's also sad that the public school principals need to do fund-raising. Well, it makes me sad, and angry!

She did not pay back the money. The two checks, she issued as restitution, bounced. There is a standard five year bar on re-employment with the government. However, because this was an investigation of the Office of the Public Auditor and the Attorney General's White Collar/Government Corruption Unit there will be a ten year bar. Salutations and respect to all the generous and dedicated Teachers and Principals who give to their students. They are not praised enough. This one bad apple should not distract us from honoring the ones who so richly deserve it.

Thanks for the clarification, Mike.

I was also thinking more about the issue of individual schools doing fundraising. I assumed it was necessary in my earlier comment, but is it really? I mean really "necessary." I'm sure it helps, but for example, this money was stolen and not used by the students. It would have helped--with student activites, etc.

But necessary?

We want quality education. We want enough classrooms in good repair for all students in uncrowded classes, up-to-date text books in sufficient quantities for all students, a modern library, science equipment. And of course, we want good teachers, teachers who earn a decent wage. Do we have that?

If not, why not?

You're absolutely right. Teachers and Administrators should be free from the burden of fundraising for essential services and materials. They should be allowed to focus their efforts on their students. They are already heavily laden, outside of their job descriptions, by functioning as surrogate parents for those children who have no other authority figure guidance. Unfortunately education does not appear to be the priority that it should. The CNMI is not unique in this regard. I knew teachers in California who made regular Costco runs to stock the school lavatories with toilet paper and paper towels, in addition to classroom materials. Our greatest investments should be in eduction and health care for everyone, not just the wealthy. Good education and healthcare programs reduce crime and provide foundations for social and material advancement. Until society properly assumes its responsibility the Teachers, Prinicpals, parents and concerned citizens will have to make do by their own efforts.

I have been quiet about this because I too am sad. Doreen was trusted and well liked. I can honestly say that I still like her very much, and feel, as Glen said, bewildered. Nevertheless, it was a breach of the trust we are given, rightfully or not. I agree with both of you that we are so laden with things like fundraising that we are not able to meet the needs of our schools. It's all about vision and whether or not the entire CNMI, not just the PSS is moving in the same direction.

If I learned one thing from observing other administrators before me and from my own upbringing, it is that trust, once earned must be maintained. Our students rely on us to be their voices and provide even the most basic needs as toilet paper. The money taken is one thing, especially in light of our financial condition. The trust stolen is another completely.

I believe Doreen when she says she is remorseful. I guess the best thing I can do now is to support (not defend, not make excuses for) a colleague who is wounded by her own decisions and to try and reclaim the trust of our community in regards to the honor of the public school system and it's administrators. I hope I've made some sense here.

I don't know the woman, but was aghast that someone who worked as in a position, not just of trust, but of supposed uncomromised integrity and as the premier moral example to her entire student body, would act in such a fashion.

What will the lesson be? What will impressionable students make of all this? If the principal can do it so can I? I could do a better job, I won't get caught? Or, hopefully: Even the mighty can make mistakes. I must be careful not to make that one myself. I must be watchful for greed or abuse of power creeping up on my blind side?

Has anyone spoken to these children and young adults? Would the correct person to do so be Ms Tudela, or someone else?

One last note. I noticed that Ms Tudela was described as an ex Principal and it was only mentioned in passing that she is now (or was) a high level PSS administrator only a level or two down from the Superintendant. I'm wondering what the effect on morale inside those offices must be about now.

I think part of the problem is that it was too easy to take the money. I do think we need to guard against temptation, and requiring two signatures, having reporting procedures, etc. are all designed to help us maintain our integrity.

I also think we need to be more careful about the little corruptions, because they lead to bigger ones.

Doreen will be found innocent. These payments represent proper reimbursements for school expenses she made out of her own pocket. Its a shame that she obviously has jealous enemies who are willing to twist the truth, destroy records, etc. just to take down one of the brightest young people to some out of Saipan.

What's more sad is that PSS continues to employee Doreen. She is still working (she has not even been suspended) and still in contol of federal funds. As the last writer believes, she may indeed be found innocent, afterall, she has family ties to the Mayor. She has admitted guilt in the paper but pled innocent to the charges. Whatever happens, it will not change the hardship her actions caused during the few years she was principal at Kagman. Students went without books, class materials, caps and gowns at graduation, and even toilet paper in the restrooms. Thankfully things are very much improved with the new principal.

If you read the paper carefully, Doreen did not admit to anything except that she requested and received reimbursements for school expenses she had paid for out of her personal funds. The newspaper reporting was erroneous and the writers are incompetent. They don't check their facts and statements. Doreen will be found innocent.

I can believe that the news reports aren't accurate. But no one can say with certainty that Doreen Tudela will be found not guilty. You just can't know that, anon.

Obviously, you believe in Doreen's innocence. I'm not so sure. The auditor's report apparently indicates that she admitted to using the money. And our auditor has been very good.

I'm not sure what the talk about "jealous elements" is all about, but it sounds foolish to me. No one is jealous. We are all heart-broken. We want to see our teachers and principals succeed. We want the best.

And unfortunately, whether she is eventually found not guilty or convicted, Doreen has brought a cloud over her work and her service to PSS and the students of the CNMI. She did it herself--not "jealous elements"--and it just is sad. Because she is talented. And we needed her talent, without the "loose accounting."

You are an idiot and your blog is a joke.

Anon, August 2, 2007--You're entitled to your opinion.

This particular discussion is one of the better ones on my blog. I'm happy to have the comments and views from differing perspectives. It's odd you would chose this thread to express your disdain.

Always went with the wear 'em out school myself.

I wouldn't, but you might also say 'eat dirt'. I keep reading that our fixation on the anti-bacterial product of the month is creating a generation of bubble kids.

Yes. Run, jump, play, use your imagination, ask, and for Dog's sake get dirty. It's good for you.

Yay for you. Common sense is getting in shorter and shorter supply while resentment of normal parenting activities like washing your kid's dirty playclothes is running rampant.