PSS needs to install a new transformer at Tinian High School, a project that may take nine months to complete.
“PSS and NMC are working on an agreement that would facilitate the use of the classrooms,” according to a statement from NMC which, early this year, suspended its academic programs on Tinian.
PSS will be required to pay for the expenses related to its use of NMC’s facility such as electricity and maintenance fees.
But NMC will not charge PSS rent.
“The Public School System and NMC share the same objective of providing CNMI students an environment that’s highly conducive to their learning and development,” said NMC President Carmen Fernandez. “We are glad to extend any assistance that the Public School System needs in this regard.”
Board of Education Chairwoman Lucy Blanco-Maratita said the Tinian school is still working on the details of holding classes at NMC and a memorandum of understanding is also being finalized.
“The number of students [that will move to NMC] will depend on which buildings will be taken off the grid to minimize the load on current transformer,” she said. “The least disruptive means and the ease in moving students between NMC and the high school, etc., will also be considered, and the school will make these decisions,” said Blanco-Maratita, Tinian’s representative to the board.
“This move is really indicative of how well the community and agencies can work together and support each other,” she said. “We are very grateful for the assistance of NMC, the Tinian delegation, and PSS staff in working together to come up with a mitigation plan ahead of the emergency that could happen. Rather than fretting about the immense delay due to the suspension of classes that could happen if the transformer goes out, we now have a plan we can all fall back on. This is the type of community support that we truly need.”
She commended Tinian High School and Commissioner of Education Rita Sablan for their “proactive approach” and lauded the Tinian lawmakers for coming to the school system’s “rescue.”
