PSS wants to construct a new gymnasium for Saipan Southern High School, Kagman High School, Hopwood Junior High School, Rota High School and Tinian Junior/Senior High School as well as renovate classrooms.
House Health, Education and Welfare Committee Chairman Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan, yesterday said they will “scrutinize” the joint resolution, which will authorize the CNMI government to incur a $20 million debt.
Torres said his committee will seek comments from PSS and the Board of Education once H.J.R. 16-11 is introduced.
BOE will send a letter to the Legislature to endorse Apatang’s joint resolution.
BOE Vice Chairman Herman T. Guerrero said the $20 million board is necessary to implement the school system’s Seven-Year CIP Master Plan.
PSS also has a pending request for $8.2 million to fund urgently needed school repairs and renovations.
Guerrero said the condition of school facilities has been mentioned by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges as among the areas that PSS must address to retain its schools’ accreditation.
The $20 million bond, he added, will also help PSS expand its kindergarten program.
“We want to make it a full day program rather than just double sessions each day,” he said. “To improve student learning, we need to start with kindergarten.”
The number of children on the kindergarten waiting list continues to increase each year due to lack of funding.
“I know it’s not for BOE or PSS to decide on this bond but we’re submitting our comments to the Legislature,” Guerrero said.
