Marianas High School opens new Building J

Marianas High School inaugurated Friday a new nine-classroom building that is expected to house hundreds of students daily.

Building J’s official opening came after almost a year of construction.

Principal Karen Borja said Building J’s brand-new classrooms will be home to three special educational classes, five classes for freshmen students, and a cooperative class.

The lack of funding delayed the much-awaited construction and renovation of Building J until the Northern Marianas Housing Corp. approved in 2007 funding worth $715,000 through its community development block grant.

Borja said that once the relocation of classrooms is completed, they could use the school’s conference room for its intended purpose.

It was learned that affected students are currently holding classes in Building H and are forced to use the conference room and other vacant spaces. Borja estimates that about 225 students will be housed at the new wing on a daily basis.

The school was supposed to use Building J last school opening but was postponed due to construction delays.

With this project done, MHS is now looking for funds to renovate its vocational education building, which also needs major repairs.

“Like our Building J, we’re looking forward to fix our vocational building next,” Borja said.

In Friday’s ceremony, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said the project is important not only for MHS students and staff but for the parents and the community members as well.

The project began on April 2, 2008, and was successfully completed by Northpac Corporation, with services and supplies coming from Ginen Saipan and National Office Supply.

“MHS is the oldest public high school in the CNMI, and it needs repairs and updates. I am pleased that this successful project significantly helps MHS upgrade its facilities to support student learning,” the governor said, adding that next year’s graduates will be the 40th graduating class of MHS.

“It is only fitting that the government and PSS constantly strive to improve the public school environment and services for each generation of students,” Fitial said. “We can accomplish this through NMHC-administered CDBG funds, and we can also accomplish this through federal stimulus funding and CIP funding. And let me assure you that this administration is working to secure needed funding for the CNMI’s public education.”

Earlier this week, the governor said he signed the CNMI grant application for stabilization stimulus funding for education.

“I look forward to securing those funds for PSS and NMC, so that we can enhance our educational environment and complete more projects and provide more services for our students,” Fitial said.