Interior OKs reprogramming of $700K for GTC

The U.S. Department of the Interior has approved Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s request to reprogram $711,500 for the renovation of the three most dilapidated buildings at the Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School.

Office of Insular Affairs grant manager Faride Komisar, in a letter to CIP administrator Virginia Villagomez, acknowledged receipt of the proposal endorsed to the office last Feb. 23.

“Please accept this letter as the OIA’s approval of the request as well as the project scope of work submitted along with the letter,” Komisar said.

The money will be reprogrammed from $1.2 million in Capital Improvement Project funds allocated to the Public School System.

However, Komisar said that no cost may be incurred and no work may commence on the project until OIA has reviewed the submitted environmental documentation and ensured that all federal environmental laws and regulations have been complied with.

CNMI may begin work only upon OIA’s issuance of the authorization to proceed.

Fitial announced the OIA’s decision on the GTC project in a press conference yesterday.

GTC acting principal Charlotte Camacho said yesterday the school community is elated with the good news.

The $711,500 funding, she said, was the school’s original request, as concurred by the governor when the principal submitted her request to the Education Board and Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan.

Of the approved funding, Camacho said $536,000 will be used for the renovation of Buildings F, G, and B, which house nine classrooms of the upper grade, while $175,000 will fund the collateral equipment of the classrooms.

It was earlier disclosed that the school may be recommended for closure next opening if no renovations are made due to safety and hazard issues.

In a Board of Education meeting last Feb. 12, only about $400,000 was approved for the GTC project using the following sources: $120,000 taken from the San Vicente Elementary School classroom project; $208,000 in interest from general obligation bonds; and $66,000 that was earlier earmarked for GTC’s electrical upgrade.

Fitial has promised to “reimburse” the San Vicente Elementary School of the money reallocated to the GTC project. The chief executive is eyeing “re-runs” from the other CIP projects so he could return the money in June 2009.

GTC’s Camacho said they hope to begin construction in June in time for the opening of classes in September.

Camacho said that GTC, with the assistance of the PSS CIP, have taken measures and made preparations to begin work on the critical renovations.

“Our goal is to complete all work during the 2009 summer intercession, so as to minimize the construction hazards and disruptions to the students during the school year,” she said.

In order to meet this goal and begin the 2009-2010 school year on time, Camacho said the procurement process and acquisition of necessary certifications must begin at once.