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PSS identifies potential sites for new schools
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Posted on Apr 30 1999
Four properties owned by the Public School System on Saipan are being tapped as possible sites for the two new schools that will accommodate the projected increase in student population until year 2005.
During a CIP meeting held at Garapan Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon, committee chairman Anthony Pellegrino identified Koblerville (110,000 sq. meters), Kagman III (77,145 sq. meters), Kagman II (47,937 sq. meters) and As Matuis (44,485 sq. meters) as possible areas for construction.
From these four choices, the two larger lots can accommodate the new high school or junior high school to give room for track and field, vocational education facilities and JROTC training areas.
The property where the Marianas High School is located runs 92,140 sq. meters, while Hopwood’s lot area is 65,116 sq. meters.
According to a study presented to members of the Board of Education, the Koblerville property offers a better campus. Aside from being the largest, it is flat and would only require minimal resources to develop. It is also accessible and is located right next to the elementary school.
In a letter to Pellegrino, Saipan Mayor Jose Sablan endorsed Koblerville as the site for the new high school.
“First, accessible roads are situated on both sides of the location. Second, the school will be isolated from the noisy city, which I believe will promote learning and safety,” he said.
However, based on the student population this year, only 9 percent of the entire count in the elementary level came from Koblerville, 5 percent for junior high school and 15 percent for high school.
“We need to consider where the movement of the population is going,” said Board chairman Esther Fleming.
In addition, PSS officials and the community will also explore the latest proposal to open two new high schools and turn MHS to a junior high school.
Commissioner of Education Rita H. Inos also pointed out the importance of the “village home” concept for the new schools and their locations should be near to residential communities.
