PSS execs say Hopwood relocation plan warrants dialogue

A possible plan to relocate Hopwood Junior High School to give way for new multi-million casino resort was no big surprise for the Public School System, with education officials admitting that the idea has been tossed around by the Inos administration in informal meetings since late 2013.

Board of Education chair Herman T. Guerrero and Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan confirmed this on Friday, adding, however, that no formal correspondence about this was officially transmitted to the board and PSS.

Gov. Eloy S. Inos told reporters last week about the potential use of the Hopwood campus as a viable site for a casino, which requires the building of at least 2,000 rooms and a minimum $2 billion integrated resort.

Guerrero told Saipan Tribune Friday that even in the initial conversations with the governor on the issue, he made the concerns of the board very clear.

“Even if PSS wants to give it up, the question is: Where are you going to give us land with the same size of Hopwood? And before we give it up, we want a state-of-the-art facility, including accessories that goes with it,” said Guerrero.

He pointed out that the board has not made a decision on this issue. But assuming the BOE will ever decide, Guerrero said that there should be a ready school for the students to occupy.

It was earlier said that the winning investor will have to shoulder Hopwood’s relocation.

If this will be the case, Guerrero said, “then it will be on our terms.”

Based on his inquiries of other public lands that may potentially be used as a school campus, Guerrero said an agricultural property in As Perdido—described as much larger than the Hopwood campus—came up.

As for the possibility of using instead the property earlier identified for the new Koblerville Junior High School, Guerrero said no. He said the government only has a “lease” on the land and the property remains owned by private individuals.

According to Sablan, if PSS were to build a new campus the same size as Hopwood, the cost would range between $15 million and $20 million.

“If we will be relocated, show us the property because we need an equal value or better [than the Hopwood campus]. I don’t want to move kids to the mountains, to the deep side. That property has to be close to the community,” said Sablan.

She disclosed that the Hopwood campus is far larger than the 44,000-square-meter property designated for PSS’ use in As Matuis.

Hopwood serves students from seven elementary schools including Garapan, Oleai, William S. Reyes, San Antonio, Koblerville, and San Vicente elementary schools.

Sablan vowed that before a decision is made on the plan, there has to be series of dialogues among stakeholders.

“There’s a process that has to be involved here. We need to sit down and discuss what’s really in the best interest of our students. If they’re saying that the campus is good for casino, then I will say that a campus is also best for our kids,” she said.

Hopwood is located in the village of Chalan Piao. In 1962, Hopwood opened for grades 7 through 12. When Marianas High School opened in 1969, Hopwood became a junior high school. Through the years, the institution has gone through many reconstructive renovations, especially as typhoons, termites, and age deteriorated the building structures.