PSS winding up ARRA projects; to make full accounting of funds

Public schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota are finalizing projects funded by the American Recovery Reinvestment Act to meet the deadline for completion at the end of this month.

Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan said the Public School System is also preparing a full report, which would include a complete accounting of all stimulus funds spent by public schools in renovating and modernizing its facilities.

The commissioner lauded yesterday the collaboration shown by different PSS offices such as procurement and supply, capital improvement project office, and federal programs and fiscal budget office in ensuring that all projects are completed on time.

“Our mission is to accomplish all our ARRA projects by the deadline this month and I am very happy with the collaborative efforts of these offices in helping us to get where we are now. At present, all schools are winding down all their projects and are expected for completion very soon,” said Sablan.

She said a special report will be released at the end of this month showing how PSS spent its ARRA funding.

PSS received a total of $32.4 million in state fiscal stabilization funds that it is supposed to spend by Sept. 30, 2011. The grant’s first phase totaled over $22 million, while the second phase amounted to $10.1 million.

This was by far the biggest investment for public schools in the past 23 years, Saipan Tribune learned. The last time PSS got a significant infusion of funds was in 1998, when PSS received $32 million from the general obligation bond. The money was used to build new schools.

Majority of ARRA funding was spent to modernize and repair existing school facilities. A large portion was also used to pay for the salaries of some classroom teachers, improve school and after-school programs, help teachers become highly qualified, and for student academic activities and programs. A portion of the grant was also used to pay for schools’ utility bills.

In a visit to Hopwood Junior High School, maintenance workers were seen completing the installation of over 100 brand new air-conditioning units and upgrading the school’s electrical system.

Hopwood principal Jonas Barcinas said yesterday that ARRA also funded the replacement of all classroom doors, the installation of typhoon shutters, and the extension of some walkways. Workers were also seen repainting the campus.

Hopwood alone got a little over $2 million in ARRA funds, Barcinas said.

“We’re very excited to open the school year with a ‘brand-new’ campus. We’re truly blessed and thankful for this federal assistance to our students,” he told Saipan Tribune.

At Marianas High School, acting principal Cherlyn Cabrera said last week that the school is also busy completing the construction and repair of some facilities in time for the school opening in September.