Got gym but still no school

While construction of the gymnasium for the proposed Koberville Junior High School proceeds on schedule—to be completed by December—the next steps for the actual junior high school remain in question.

“At this point, the only thing that is really [being] built is the gymnasium, and after that we don’t know what is in store,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan yesterday. “Is there a plan from the government or a commitment from the government or Legislature or anyone to help build a Koblerville Junior High School and do we need it?”

At a CIP committee meeting at the Board of Education conference room yesterday, concerns addressed were the status of the current lease on the proposed lots for the school, which belongs to the Northern Marinas Housing Corp.; the administrative costs PSS would shoulder with the new gym; and the lack of commitment from the government to build the school.

The leasehold of the three adjacent lots for the proposed school was purchased by NMHC from TMP Inc. in July 2011, with the intention of using the new site for the proposed school.

NMHC bought the approximately 60,000-square-meter properties for $1.17 million, using funds from the Community Development Block Grant.

The remaining years on the leasehold are about 28 to 32 years, according to information obtained at the meeting.

Sablan said the cost to build the school is estimated to be anywhere between $18 million to $20 million.

In an interview with BOE chair Herman Guerrero, he said the question is what options PSS would have after the leasehold years are up.

He noted that PSS or the board “does not have the authority to negotiate” on the matter as it is up the to government.

The current lots belong to three separate owners, according to Guerrero.

Sablan said PSS has yet to receive any update from the Office of the Governor concerning the property, whether it has already been deeded to the PSS.

“There is no next step as to commitment from the government that CIP funds will be made to be able to construct actual classrooms,” she said.

A PSS source said that they would like to have fee simple ownership of the three proposed lots.

With PSS not foreseeing a proposed junior high school or a firm commitment from CNMI leaders, Sablan said PSS may have to ask NMHC to take the gym back until such time that there is a commitment.

She also noted the maintenance, security, electricity and overall utility costs that PSS would take on starting in January when the gym in done.

“Utilities is going to be our greatest issue with the gymnasium,” she said.

Guerrero suggested during discussion that if the gym is returned to NMHC, the corporation could perhaps redirect it to other agencies so it could still serve the Koblerville community.

‘No need for a junior high’

Sablan also cited the successful implementation of the middle school reconfiguration—which consolidated elementary students into single schools to open more middle schools and lessen overcrowding—as a reason why they may not need the gym.

CIP committee chair Lucy-Blanco Maratita asked Sablan point blank if there is currently a need for a new junior high school

“Not at this point,” Sablan said. “The way our data is working, it’s showing us that everyone is in place when we implemented the middle school phase 2.”

Guerrero brought up Marianas High School’s population of around 1,500 students as a more pressing concern.

Sablan agreed, saying PSS probably needs a new high school to accommodate MHS students.

No action was taken during the meeting, as those present chose to continue to debate the issue.

Dec. 19 is the Koblerville gym’s completion date, barring any weather problems, according to the CIP office for PSS.

It is being constructed by Tropex Garden, with some funds redirected from a proposed but cancelled Saipan Southern High School swimming pool.