By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
EDUCATION Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho on Thursday assured parents and educators that learning at Koblerville Elementary School will continue uninterrupted as the campus prepares for its first major reconstruction project in nearly four decades.
During a site inspection, Camacho surveyed the FEMA tent pods that will temporarily house classrooms while five aging KoES buildings are demolished and rebuilt as part of the rehabilitation project.
KoES officials said the month of March will be used to finalize preparations for the transition to the temporary learning site to ensure that student instruction continues without interruption during construction.
“Learning will continue as it should. We want to reiterate that to all of our public education stakeholders,” Camacho said. “While we are committed to ensuring that our schools and learning facilities are safe and conducive for student growth, our district will continue to serve the community by providing uninterrupted learning opportunities for our students, no matter the situation.”
The Koblerville campus, which is about four decades old, is undergoing major rehabilitation as several facilities have deteriorated over time and through natural disasters. Preparations this month will include clearing the construction site ahead of the large-scale rebuilding project.
School leaders confirmed that five classroom buildings will be demolished and rebuilt as part of the project.
“We have been on the drawing table working on how we can better serve our students,” Camacho said. “Our campuses require regular maintenance and repair. While some facilities need temporary repairs, others must be rebuilt from the ground up due to their age.”
He emphasized that student learning will continue throughout the project.
“There will be no learning interruption for our Koblerville Elementary School students — this I can assure our stakeholders,” Camacho added.
School officials also confirmed that the campus will remain open during the rehabilitation work, even as a significant portion of the facilities undergo renovation.
Site inspection
Camacho’s visit focused on reviewing the readiness of the temporary FEMA tent classrooms and ensuring that the structures meet safety and occupancy standards before students move in.
He was joined by members of the Public School System Facilities Development and Management team, Associate Commissioner for Administration Eric Magofna, Koblerville Elementary School Principal Naomi Nishimura, and Vice Principal Jonas Barcinas for a walkthrough of the tent facilities located on the school campus.
Nearby is the Da’ok Academy campus, which is also expected to receive a permanent school facility as part of broader districtwide reconstruction initiatives.
Shortly after the commissioner’s inspection, teams from the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention program and the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services conducted their own inspections of the temporary learning site.
The inspections were intended to ensure that the structures meet public health standards and that fire safety equipment and prevention measures are properly installed before students and staff occupy the facilities.
First since 1986
The upcoming project marks the first major reconstruction in the campus’s nearly four-decade history since the school opened in 1986, Variety files show.
Some repairs were carried out following the destruction caused by Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018, which severely damaged Koblerville Elementary School along with several other Saipan campuses, including Hopwood Middle School, Marianas High School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, and San Vicente Elementary School.
Temporary tent classrooms have previously been used in the CNMI following disasters and reconstruction efforts, including at Northern Marianas College, Hopwood Middle School and Da’ok Academy.
Reconstruction and rehabilitation work is also underway across several other Saipan campuses damaged by Super Typhoon Yutu in 2018. At Marianas High School, the gymnasium and several campus facilities have already been renovated, while construction continues on a new federally funded Career Technical Education building that replaces the long-condemned former Building T.
At Hopwood Middle School, modular classrooms opened last year to support continued instruction while permanent rebuilding plans move forward. School officials expect construction of new permanent facilities at the campus to begin later this year.
School statement
Koblerville Elementary School also issued a statement outlining its preparations for the transition.
“Preparations are nearing completion for the temporary relocation of students from Koblerville Elementary School as the campus moves closer to the start of a major rehabilitation project,” school officials said.
Officials clarified that the temporary relocation site is not funded by FEMA but is a separate Public School System project designed to relocate students ahead of the main construction phase.
The temporary classrooms will allow the school to continue providing instruction while major portions of the campus undergo rehabilitation.
Several inspections have already been conducted to ensure the structures meet safety and operational standards.
Public health officials examined the tents to confirm that the environment is safe for students and will not compromise the health and well-being of students and staff.
Meanwhile, fire officials inspected the site to verify that life safety equipment and fire prevention measures are in place and accessible in the event of an emergency.
Although classroom buildings will be rebuilt, several key facilities will remain accessible during construction, including the main office, student support resource centers, library, cafeteria, basketball court, and main playground.
School officials said the careful planning and ongoing inspections are intended to ensure that students continue learning in a safe and supportive environment during the renovation period.
Once completed, the rehabilitation project is expected to significantly improve learning spaces and provide upgraded facilities for the Koblerville Elementary School community.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
