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Ada: PSS double sessions must end by January
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Posted on Nov 26 2019
A member of the CNMI Board of Education is pushing to get schools that are currently holding double sessions to have full sessions by January 2020.
After getting an update from Public School System officials about schools that currently have double sessions, BOE member MaryLou Ada asked if PSS can start having full-day sessions at the beginning of 2020.
Charlie Kenty, PSS associate commissioner for Administrative Services, clarified that that is PSS’ goal—to get the schools out of double sessions by January 2020—but he said there are factors beyond PSS’ control to get these deadlines complete.
Jackie Quitugua, who is the interim Education commissioner, assured that schools are currently undergoing repairs and inspections to make sure PSS is following safety requirements. She clarified that these inspections must be completed before PSS can lift the double sessions.
Kenty later told Saipan Tribune that repairs at San Vicente Elementary School are done, and are undergoing inspections and that full-day sessions may return by January. “We will work very hard to get everything in place and open the schools next year on regular sessions,” Kenty said.
Kenty gave the brief a brief overview on the repairs ongoing at Kagman Elementary School and Dandan Middle School. The KagES contractor, Kimco Enterprises, was given 90 days to complete the repairs on the school’s electrical issues. Meanwhile, DMS’ electrical issues should be repaired by this week. Kenty clarified that these dates are tentative and subject to change, and that PSS hopes the projects will be completed earlier than or by January.
The schools experiencing double sessions are Oleai Elementary School, William S. Reyes School, Koblerville Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School, and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School due to the severe damage they sustained from Super Typhoon Yutu that wreaked havoc on Saipan and Tinian last October 2018.
