The Director of Education, Maefau Dr Mary Taufetee, has assured that all school athletic programs will continue in the new school year.

She sent out a letter Wednesday saying that DOE is “working diligently” with the Governor’s Office and appropriate stakeholders regarding the allocation for athletics. And she said the department remains committed to supporting student athletes and “ensuring that our schools have the resources necessary to provide meaningful athletic opportunities for our students”.

It had been revealed at a recent hearing of the House Education and Scholarships Committee that no funding had been allocated for athletics in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget for DOE. And the Director had said that they were talking with businesses and non government organizations to be able to provide school sports in the new school year.

In her August 19 letter addressed to students, families, coaches, school administrators and the community, Maefau advised that “all school athletic programs will continue as scheduled without disruption”. A DOE official told KHJ News the the sport calendar for the new school year was issued two weeks ago.

The Director said in her letter, “At this time, we respectfully ask for the public’s paience and understanding as the budget process continues. No final determination regarding the athletics allocation should be assumed until the budget has been formally finalized and approved by the Fono.

“We appreciate the continued patience, understanding and support of our community as we work through this process. Most importantly we want to reassure our students and families that supporting our student athletes remains a priority for the department”.

When he spoke at the Second Education Summit earlier this week, then-Acting Governor Pulummataala Ae Ae Jr had urged that the administration secure funding for school sports and suggested that one way of raising the needed funds was to deduct $2 per month from the paychecks of every government employee.