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PSS authorized to enter USDA loan to build 10 kindergarten classrooms
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed a new law Thursday, which will allow the Public School System to enter into a guaranteed loan of about $5 million for the primary purpose of infrastructure development such as classroom building, among others.
PSS federal programs officer Tim Thornburg said these additional 10 classrooms are needed as PSS continues to see school populations rise.
“There is just not enough kindergarten classrooms, that’s our problem in a nutshell,” Thornburg said. “About every year there are about 200 children that would like to go to kindergarten in our public schools but cannot because we do not have enough facilities.”
U.S. Department of Agriculture officials also attended the signing event last Thursday. PSS will be securing the loan from USDA.
“We are very excited about this opportunity to be able to look at partnering with the public schools and be able to expand the education opportunities out here,” said USDA community programs director Robin Pulkkinen on Friday.
Koberville Elementary School principal Rizalina Liwag said they are excited for these new projects. “We are very fortunate that will be chosen as one of these schools that will be given the opportunity to have more buildings and more classrooms.”
She said new paved parking—another improvement on top of two new classrooms—would help organize parking during events and have parents attend more activities.
On the extended classrooms, she said, “that is something that our school really needs.” Instead of just two classes, we’ll have four full sessions of kindergarten, which is really our target.”
“We are doing it half day right now. If these classes are built during the summer, we’ll have full day classes” of four per day, she added.
According to Thornburg, two new kindergarten classrooms will be built in Garapan, Koblerville, and Oleai elementary schools, as well as another two classrooms for Dandan Middle School.
Tinian Elementary School will get a paved parking lot, and another one is to be paved for Sinapalo Elementary School in Rota. The parking lot of the PSS head start center in Garapan will be paved also.
