“We can accomplish this through [federal] Community Development Block Grant funds, and we can also accomplish this through federal stimulus and [capital improvement project] funding,” the governor said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony from the newly completed Building J of Marianas High School.
The $715,000 was funded by the Community Development Block Grant, which is locally administered by the Northern Marianas Housing Corp.
MHS acting principal Karen Borja, in an interview, said the building will accommodate five classrooms for freshmen students as well as the special education and cooperative education classes.
“This really addresses the need of the school,” Borja said, adding that the students and the school administration were “overwhelmed” by the support of the local and federal governments.
In his brief message, Fitial assured that his administration will work to secure needed funding for public education, saying that he just signed the grant application for stabilization stimulus funding for education.
“I look forward to securing those funds for Public School System and Northern Marianas College so that we can enhance our educational environment and complete more projects and provide more services to our students,” he said.
The MHS project began with a notice to proceed on April 2, 2008 and was completed by Northpac Corp., with service and supplies coming from Ginen Saipan and National Office Supply.
It was Joshua Sasamoto of the Northern Marianas Housing Corp. whoe secured the needed federal funds to complete the project, Borja said.
“Not only did you find funding for the building, but also for the collateral equipment and fixture, that were so worn out. As you know this is our ‘J” building. For me, the J will always represent the Joshua building. You have made our dream, a reality,” Borja said in her remarks during the ceremony.
She recalled how the previous building, which was built with wood, was infested with termite.
The building contained no fire walls and its electrical system was outdated, she said.
“It was a fire trap and was unsafe for our students.”
Also present during the ceremony were Education Commissioner Rita Sablan, Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Ignacio Dela Cruz, Department of Public Works Secretary Diego B. Songsong, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela and other government officials.
