Kagman Elementary School opening hits snag

The scheduled operation of the new Kagman Elementary School on Aug. 1, 2000, may be hampered as the Public School System race to find additional funds to hire the needed number of staff for its operation.

PSS is seeking the assistance of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to provide more money in time for the opening of the $6 million school facility .

Now approximately 90 percent complete, the school lacks the appropriate number of full time staff to efficiently run the new campus for school year 2000-2001.

Nearly stripped with resources, PSS officials are facing difficulty providing the ideal number of manpower to manage the school which is projected to accommodate a maximum of 675 students.

The campus is in need of security personnel, teacher aides, counselors, and other staff members. The school system is currently developing necessary positions which would comprise the new Kagman Elementary School administration. San Vicente School Teacher Jonas Barcinas will assume the post as Principal of the new school.

Hopes are high that the school system will be able to solicit enough government assistance to officially open the campus by August 7 this year.

The school’s project contractors are now performing finishing touches to the eight-building campus situated in the Kagman district.

The campus also boasts of 27 fully airconditioned classrooms which can accommodate 25 students each. It has a spacious parking area, a baseball field, and basketball court.

Each building is also furnished with a pair of common toilets save for one building which has a built-in restroom in each classroom, for the youngest grade schoolers. The school also features a 675-capacity cafeteria, a library, and room to accommodate more than 30 computer units. In addition, students will also be provided their very own lockers.

Kagman school is also situated amid a spectacular view of the ocean, very conducive for learning. The structures are also expected to withstand typhoons as for the first time, PSS has approved the installation of sophisticated typhoon shutters in all classroom windows.

National Office Supply, the named contractor for the collateral equipment needed for the campus, is set to install the desks, chairs, lockers, and cabinets by July 24. (MM)