Compact Impact grant to benefit schools NMI-wide

Some 20 public schools are slated to be repaired with Compact assistance grant funds that Gov. Juan N. Babauta has awarded to the Public School System.

Schools on Rota, Saipan, and Tinian will receive new air-conditioning units, roof repairs, termite protection, and other long-overdue maintenance. The governor submitted the plan of use for the grant funds to the Interior Department last week, so that funds will be available as soon as possible after the Oct. 1 beginning of fiscal year 2006.

PSS has provided the governor a preliminary list of schools that will benefit:

DANDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Repair/replace windows
– Repair/replace A/C
– Repair leak (administrative office)
– Termite treatment

GARAPAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Renovation of maintenance room
– Repair/renovation of Bldg. A
– Repair/renovation of Bldg. M
– Repair covered walkway
– Repair/replace A/C units
– Termite treatment

GTC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Renovate Bldg. G
– Repair covered walkway
– Termite treatment

HOPWOOD JR. HIGH SCHOOL
– Electrical upgrade of Bldg. A & C
– Roof renovation Bldg. A
– Roof renovation Bldg. C
– Roof renovation Bldg. E
– Bldg. C drop ceiling
– Bldg. E drop ceiling
– Water proofing
– Repair walkway between Bldg. C & D, D & E
– Repair leaky roof Vocational Education
– Repair tin roof at Pala Pala bathroom
– Repair/replace A/C units
– Termite treatment

KAGMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Repair roof leaks on all buildings

KAGMAN HIGH SCHOOL
– Interior/exterior painting
– Replacement of pipes, water tank
– Termite treatment
–
KOBLERVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Renovation of Bldg. 101-104
– Replace all plumbing fixtures
– Repair/Replace A/C units
– Water proofing
– Termite treatment

MARIANAS HIGH SCHOOL
– Renovation of Bldg. J
– Renovation ROTC Bldg.
– Renovation of Bldg. T
– Renovation of automotive shop
– Repair covered walkway
– Electrical upgrade
– Repair of home economics Bldg. F
– Repair/replace A/C units
– Termite treatment

OLEAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Renovation of Bldg. C
– Roof repair Bldg. D

ROTA HIGH SCHOOL
– Repair/replace A/C units
– Termite treatment

ROTA JR. HIGH SCHOOL
– Repair/replace A/C units
– Water proofing
– Termite treatment

SAN ANTONIO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Renovation of Bldg. C & E
– Renovation of Admin/Counselor office
– Termite treatment

SAN VICENTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Renovation of Bldg. B
– Renovation of Kindergarten
– Replacement of all plumbing fixtures
– Renovation of Special Education

SINAPALO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Repair/replace A/C units
– Termite treatment

TANAPAG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Renovation of Bldg I
– Termite treatment

TINIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Repair/replace A/C units
– Repair roof leaks Bldg. H
– Water proofing
– Termite treatment

WSR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
– Renovation of library
– Renovation of Bldg. C drop ceiling
– Demolition of old cafeteria
– Electrical upgrade Bldg. C
– Termite treatment

PSS has been unable to maintain its schools adequately due to a lack of funds. Per-student local appropriations for education have been declining every year since 1997.

Babauta has proposed budgets every year to increase funding for education, but the Legislature has not followed the governor’s recommendations.

This is the third time Babauta has put Compact assistance grants into education. The FY02 grant of $2,000.000 went to finish Tinian High School. The FY03 grant was swapped with other federal grant funds to use for the Governor’s Education Initiative. FY04 and FY05 grants went to health and public safety.

Source: PSS CIP Office