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PSS enrollment projected to rise 23 percent by 2012
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Posted on Mar 26 2006
Enrollment in public schools is projected to increase by 2,500 students from 2005 to 2012, prompting the immediate need for more school facilities.
According to the House of Representatives, the Public School System’s enrollment is expected to increase by approximately 357 students annually. This means that the count of kindergarten to 12th grade students would increase from the year 2005 level of 10,946, to 13,346 by 2012.
The projection represents an average growth of 23 percent over the next seven years or an annual average increase of 3.3 percent.
House Bill 15-51, which passed the Lower House last week, noted that PSS increased enrollment from 9,902 in the 2001-2002 school year to 10,946 in the 2004-2005 school year.
However, the most significant growth was in the 2002-2003 school year when student enrollment increased by 652 new students. PSS attributed this to the opening of Kagman Elementary School, Chacha Junior High School, Kagman High School, and Saipan Southern High School. Many of the additional students were previously enrolled in private schools.
In the 2003-2004 school year, enrollment grew by only 22 students.
But in 2004-2005, the increase was 365 students, which PSS reportedly believes may be a result of the continued population growth in the Kagman area.
Overall, during the past four years, PSS enrollment rose by 1,044 students.
The increased enrollment, the House pointed out, has taken its toll on school facilities. Ten schools have a combined excess enrollment of 1,191 students, resulting in overcrowding in the classrooms.
For this reason, the lawmakers threw their support for the PSS’ seven-year capital improvement plan, which identifies a need for 139 classrooms and 31 replacement classrooms at a cost of $50 million.
The projects include two elementary schools, a high school serving grades 7-12, additional classrooms at seven schools, and classroom replacements at five schools.
Other projects include gymnasiums, cafeterias, playground equipment, parking, bus shelters, track and field, and other high priority facility needs.
