Former SSHS principal Craig Garrison, who wrote the application for the grant that is now funding the project, said the pilot project involving one wind turbine gave them the opportunity to collect data on its effectiveness.
The whole purpose of the wind turbines is to “keep kids in school,” said Garrison.
When the island experienced rolling blackouts Garrison said water would stop running on campus, resulting in the early dismissal of classes.
He said after he installed the first wind turbine, he was able to keep the students in school.
“I feel that it is our responsibility as educators to keep the kids in school,” said Garrison. “It is essential they have a safe place to go to and a place to eat and acquire quality education.”
He said nine other schools now have plans for the installation of wind turbines on their campuses.
Garrison said SSHS is the first school in the CNMI and the nation to completely go off the power grid.
Chris Fryling, the Public School System’s project manager, said the six turbines will be enough to fully power up SSHS.
