By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

SAIPAN International School will build a new $600,000 library.
On Friday, the school held a groundbreaking ceremony for the facility which SIS headmaster Dale Jenkins said will include a central library, six classrooms, restrooms and a science laboratory for students.
Funding for the project came from a loan from the Bank of Saipan.
“We expect completion of this facility by December and hopefully we can use it in January,” Jenkins said. “We will do the transfer of furniture and materials from the other library in time for the students’ Christmas break.”
He added, “We have a library in the school now but what we’re going to build is a much larger facility because right now our high school classes are using a rented facility and need to walk back and forth in order to do their research…and it’s not the best way. By putting the classrooms right here, we will make things easier.”
North Pacific Enterprises will build the facility.
Recently the school conducted Trivia Night, a fundraiser to help fund the purchase of materials and equipment for the new library.
The school has 221 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Jenkins said students will benefit from the new facility as they will no longer have to walk back and forth from a rented building to research for their lessons.
“It will be much easier for theme all. Also, classes can also be held here once it is completed,” he said.
After the construction of the new library, the school wants to build a gymnasium.
“That’s our next target,” Jenkins said.