Puerto Rico Education Secretary Eliezer Ramos Parés responded on Monday to the work stoppage by school transporters, acknowledging that the Education Department (DE) owes them money. He said the department has kept the matter a priority and has worked continuously to secure disbursements and settle the outstanding obligations. Over the past months, the DE has made significant payments totaling $12 million and has corrected internal processes that for years caused delays in processing invoices.
Ramos Parés said work remains to be done and that the department does not intend to minimize the legitimate concerns of those who provided an essential service to students. He said that last summer the Office of Management and Budget (OGP) secured approval of funds for the DE to pay debts from prior years, based on a report and reconciliation the DE submitted.
On the remaining debt, the DE has continued working directly with the OGP. Last Thursday, the OGP asked the department for additional reconciliations; the DE’s teams have already resubmitted them, so the process can move to the next stage toward paying the debt. Ramos Parés said the commitment is to pay what is owed and keep improving processes to prevent a repeat.
He acknowledged that implementing the new financial system has posed significant challenges, and said school transportation remains among the department’s priorities.