PSS wants assurances before agreeing to La Fiesta pact

The Public School System outlined a number of conditions the Governor’s Office must agree to do before it signs a deal to turn part of the La Fiesta Mall in San Roque into a junior high and high school facility.

In a letter to Gov. Juan N. Babauta last week, Board of Education board member Dino Jones said the Governor’s Office must include no debt or other financial responsibility, including utility payments, for the lease of the La Fiesta property.

He also said any agreement between PSS and Governor’s Office should be binding under future administrations.

“Legislative approval of the annual lease payments and the sub-lease of space to the PSS would provide PSS with such an assurance,” he said.

Jones, who is chair of the Standing Committee on Capital Improvement and Property and PSS Property, also said that the Legislature must approve an annual minimum budget of $2.83 million for staffing and operational cost of the new school. The amount must be a lump sum, in addition to any approved fiscal year 2006 budget allotted to PSS.

Other PSS requirements were:

* Assurance from the government that the new facility must accommodate a maximum of 800 students, which is based on the projected number of students that would attend a school in the Marpi area and surrounding environs.

* The Governor’s Office must also set aside funds for the renovation of existing space into classrooms, administration and facility offices, science laboratories and common areas, in accordance with PSS design criteria for a junior high and high school.

* Government must provide services of an architect to work with the PSS regarding the renovation of the facility.

* PSS needs collateral equipment that includes desks, lab tables, commercial appliances for culinary art education and other equipment so that tenancy may commence on a turnkey basis.

* The facility must also be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant.

* That La Fiesta II should be designated as parking for school purposes and access to other La Fiesta parking areas for students.

* Ongoing repairs and maintenance of La Fiesta II’s structure and mechanical systems—necessary to keep the property in condition suitable for use as a school—must also be provided by the Governor’s Office.

* The Governor’s Office should also provide utility services, including power and water, a secure and fenced school area, with 24-hour security services, an area for physical education activities such as gymnasium and indemnification of PSS.

In return, the board would ensure that academic, administrative, and all other requirements would be met and appropriately staff the school for operation, said Jones. They would also incorporate the project into the PSS’ seven-year Capital Improvement Plan.

The school system would also provide an estimated budget for the operation of the new school and they would work with the architect to design renovation based on PSS’ needs. They would also be providing the Governor’s Office the requirements for the collateral equipment and would maintain and replace these equipment when necessary.

Jones said the PSS is aware that they could not make any structural or mechanical changes to the property without the agreement with the local government. The new facility may be allowed for community use as well, said the board.

In case both parties approve both the terms and responsibilities, the board agrees to validate the agreement on July 1, 2025, though it may be terminated by mutual agreement between PSS and the CNMI government.

The board clarified, though, that the facility is intended to be a temporary solution to the school needs of the northern part of Saipan. “PSS and the CNMI shall continue to seek public land for the construction of permanent school ties in the northern area.”

Jones said the board is thankful to Babauta’s willingness to assist them in alleviating the overcrowding in the secondary schools through the transformation of the mall into a campus.