The Northern Marianas Housing Corp., which handles federal Community Development Block Grants, considers GTC’s funding request as a priority.
Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan disclosed the approval of GTC’s request to the Board of Education last week, as he lauded the resourcefulness of the school’s administrators, faculty, parents and community members.
GTC acting principal Charlotte DLG. Camacho yesterday said the amount will fund the renovation of Building B as well as the reconstruction of Buildings F and G.
Building B has four classrooms while F and G accommodate five classrooms each.
“We’re very excited because construction work is set to begin in January,” she told Variety, adding that over 200 students from fourth to sixth grades will benefit from the project.
She added, “Our first grade and kindergarten classes will also benefit as they will be relocated to the buildings once completed.”
Last summer, she said, only minor repairs were completed at the three dilapidated buildings.
Classes for the new school year open on Sept. 8.
Founded in 1951, GTC is among the oldest elementary schools on island.
The last time a GTC facility was renovated was in 2000 for Building D which has three classrooms.
“We’re truly grateful to the feds for providing us this assistance,” Camacho said. “In this time of economic uncertainty, we need to seek other funding sources for our students.”
GTC, she added, will look for other federal grants to fund the renovation of the school’s library which also needs major repairs.
“That’s our next target — to seek funding for our library makeover and expansion,” she said.
Last year, a federal Community Development Block Grant amounting to $900,000 funded the construction of Marianas High School’s Building J.
