With student enrollment at Kagman Elementary School expected to steadily increase, the Public School System may propose a change in school zoning around the area in hopes of addressing the overcrowding issue.<\/p>\n
According to associate commissioner for administration Dr. David M. Borja, the idea is to have students at the elementary level who are living out of Kagman proper shift to schools located in the northern villages of Saipan.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we can do is possibly look at shifting [students] so instead of students from Capitol Hill going to Kagman, maybe we could reverse it so that they go north,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Borja disclosed that projected student enrollment indicates that all but two elementary schools on Saipan are considered already up to their enrollment capacity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe two schools right now that we have a lot of space in are [Gregorio T. Camacho] and Tanapag elementary schools. They have lots of room. \u201cWe just looked at the projected student enrollment and it showed that all other elementary schools are at capacity but there\u2019s definitely room at GTC and Tanapag,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Borja, however, said the idea is only an alternative and comments and suggestions from the public would be taken regarding the issue before a final decision is made.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is an alternative that we need to pursue. We\u2019re looking at our zoning. To make a decision like that, the public has to be informed, but if enough parents decide that that\u2019s what they want to do and they inform the PSS, we can try to accommodate them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
More classrooms needed<\/b><\/p>\n
Further, Borja cited that the three schools located in Kagman are all in need of additional classrooms.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really need classrooms. At Kagman, it was recognized last year, and is evident this year, that as families moved to Kagman \u2026the three schools down there are, at best, trying to accommodate the number of students, but the original design cannot meet the current numbers of students,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Borja explained that when Kagman Elementary School was originally designed, student population was intended for children residing at Kagman I and II. The school currently supports students from Kagman I, II, III, IV, and other villages as well. According to PSS, student enrollment at the school this year is at 727.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Borja explained that the PSS is considering adding an ancillary elementary school at the area to address the overcrowding 3rd. He said the new school would support Kindergarten to third grade leaving the current school with grades four to six.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s not two elementary schools, rather, it\u2019s one elementary school\u2026it just happens to be at two different grade levels. We have what is called the upper and lower elementary grades.\u201d<\/p>\n
He indicated that the idea includes moving 6th grade from Chacha Oceanview Junior High School to the elementary school. He cited that the junior high school was not designed to \u201chave 6th graders there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c[Chacha Oceanview Junior High School] was actually built to accommodate growth so if you look at the total population of the six graders, the 7th and 8th grade students population at Chacha can actually grow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Including 6th grade students, the number of enrollment for the school this year is at 650.<\/p>\n
Further, Borja said Kagman High School is also in need of additional classrooms.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a request to build six classrooms at high school but that\u2019s down the road\u2014tied in with the elementary school process. As soon as we get funding and firms interested to help us build those within the budget amount, I think we can get that done. Timeline for that is all budget driven and if firms can work and meet our budget,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Borja indicated that the idea of creating a lower-level elementary school as well as constructing the KHS classrooms are part of PSS\u2019s seven-year plan and ranks as \u201cone of our priorities.\u201d He, however, cited that the process would depend on available funds. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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