The Board of Education will face the tough decision on whether to build two new high schools or stick to the original plan of constructing one high school and a junior high school on Saipan.<\/p>\n
After the $15.8 million bond of the Public School System was officially secured, present proposals are presenting valid issues and concerns surrounding the priority construction projects on Saipan.<\/p>\n
A proposal is seeking to convert Marinas High School into a junior high and for PSS to build two new high schools on Saipan.<\/p>\n
Based on the presentation made by PSS architects Kathryn Loudines and Christopher Fryling, it will be costly to upgrade MHS against building another new high school. Certain rooms at MHS, like those for science laboratory classes, do not meet the American safety standards and to make them compliant will mean additional money.<\/p>\n
Both experts said PSS will use the same Architect and Engineering design for the construction of the two new high schools. The design will give room to new academic requirements like vocational, advanced studies and specialized pursuits.<\/p>\n
Commissioner of Education said the PSS leadership should take into consideration that 80 percent of high school graduates are not thinking about pursuing post secondary education.<\/p>\n
Thus, the future high school should have the facilities to equip this larger group with the skills required in the various workplaces after completing the 12th grade.<\/p>\n
During an earlier forum, MHS Principal Jim Denight was also suggesting to convert the school into a junior high school and instead build two new high schools on Saipan.<\/p>\n
However, Board member Thomas Pangelinan expressed opposition to the new plan. He said the location of both Hopwood Junior High School and MHS is at the heart of the busy traffic. By founding another junior high and high school somewhere in the northern or eastern section of the island will ease the current load of busing and decongest the Beach road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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