School zone change for KagES mulled

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.

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.

“What 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,” he said.

Borja disclosed that projected student enrollment indicates that all but two elementary schools on Saipan are considered already up to their enrollment capacity.

“The 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. “We just looked at the projected student enrollment and it showed that all other elementary schools are at capacity but there’s definitely room at GTC and Tanapag,” he said.

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.

“That is an alternative that we need to pursue. We’re looking at our zoning. To make a decision like that, the public has to be informed, but if enough parents decide that that’s what they want to do and they inform the PSS, we can try to accommodate them,” he said.

More classrooms needed

Further, Borja cited that the three schools located in Kagman are all in need of additional classrooms.

“We really need classrooms. At Kagman, it was recognized last year, and is evident this year, that as families moved to Kagman …the 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,” he said.

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.

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.

“So it’s not two elementary schools, rather, it’s one elementary school…it just happens to be at two different grade levels. We have what is called the upper and lower elementary grades.”

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 “have 6th graders there.”

“[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,” he said.

Including 6th grade students, the number of enrollment for the school this year is at 650.

Further, Borja said Kagman High School is also in need of additional classrooms.

“There was a request to build six classrooms at high school but that’s down the road—tied 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,” he said.

Borja indicated that the idea of creating a lower-level elementary school as well as constructing the KHS classrooms are part of PSS’s seven-year plan and ranks as “one of our priorities.” He, however, cited that the process would depend on available funds.