Tinian benefits from supplemental funding

Both Rota and Tinian will reportedly soon be at the receiving end of major improvement projects at all their respective schools in the coming weeks, according to the education commissioner.

Education Commissioner Cynthia Deleon Guerrero reported to the Board of Education on Monday that Rota and Tinian would greatly benefit from Public Law 19-75.

PL 19-75 provides supplemental funding for several government agencies. The Public School System received about $10 million from this new law.

In a trip to Rota and Tinian that spanned the first two weeks of January, Deleon Guerrero, accompanied by the PSS leadership, visited Rota and Tinian campuses to evaluate projects that would benefit from the supplemental funds.

After meeting with both Tinian Mayor Joey San Nicolas and Rota Mayor Efren Atalig and their respective senators, Deleon Guerrero was able to come up with a list of projects for both islands, based on their priority.

On Tinian, the priority is the Tinian Elementary School. The No. 1 priority for TES goes to building a septic tank to prevent backflow of sewage into the campus.

Deleon Guerrero also raised the issue about an open manhole that is a hazard due to its close proximity to the Tinian campus.

“This is a great hazard for anyone, especially for students who may fall into this. [The manhole] was addressed immediately during our visit,” said Deleon Guerrero to the BOE.

Building 1 at TES would undergo repair to stop leaks. The removal of non-working school buses and vans that are still on school property, to be assisted by DPW and Mayor’s Office, is also on the priority list for TES, as well as the removal of the old restroom that is a safety hazard and is located in the middle of the TES campus.

The commissioner also eyes perimeter fence and air conditioning repairs for TES.

The Tinian Junior/Senior High School would be getting repairs and replacement of damaged parts caused by termite infestation, including the treatment of the termite infestation problem of the school itself.

Repairs to the track and field and water drainage system as well as the increase of bandwidth and acquisition of necessary equipment to increase connectivity would also be addressed.

Tinian was appropriated $500,000 from P.L. 19-75, but Deleon Guerrero thinks the amount is still not enough.

“$500,000 might not be sufficient, but we would work our way down the list,” said Deleon Guerrero.

BOE representative Florine Hofschneider commended the commissioner for paying attention to Tinian.

“[Deleon Guerrero] was listening to what the [Tinian] community is saying and [Deleon Guerrero] is responding to what their needs are. In doing this, I have noticed that one of [Deleon Guerrero’s] strengths is the power to listen. To a leader, that is an incredible asset,” she said. “She is off to a good start.”