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PSS seeks expert opinion on Kagman health woes
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Posted on Mar 26 2001
The Public School System is still trying to verify findings that fiber glass particles inside Kagman Elementary School classrooms are, in any way, connected to illnesses students have recently acquired.
Board of Education Capital Improvement Projects Chair Roman C. Benavente assured PSS tapped the expertise of the Division of Environmental Quality and the Health and Sanitation Office to confirm theories that the dust-like materials have caused students to develop rashes and skin irritation.
PSS is expected to do a quick follow up on the pending health concerns at Kagman’s public campus today.
“We just need to obtain assistance from the property entity to evaluate the existence of these fiber glass particles. But we are asking for the Kagman community’s continued patience. We will try our very best to address their concerns,” said Mr. Benavente.
The Kagman campus has been besieged with maintenance problems of late.
Its fully-air-conditioned classrooms has been found to be emitting fiber glass particles that have reportedly caused students to come down with illnesses due to impure air they breath.
The issue of maintenance has cropped up as the critical factor in the dilemma that caused quite a stir among Kagman residents.
PSS officials have repeatedly admitted that lack of maintenance is not a concern unique of the newest Saipan campus but of all public schools across the Commonwealth.
According to Board of Education Chair Anthony Pellegrino, maintenance worries hound the entire PSS, adding that the system’s yearly budget allotment devotes zero funding for the upkeep and repairs of school facilities.
Aware of this impediment, Mr. Benavente has underscored on the need for teachers, faculty, staff, and other individuals to take shared responsibilities in caring for the system’s multi-million dollar structures.
He added that if teachers and school staff have complaints to make about PSS-owned facilities, that they should make their concerns known as soon as possible.
The BOE member is also urging legislators to push for PSS funding allocation solely for the cost of maintaining facilities.
