JUST ASKING…

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Fagaitua High School Alumni group that donated the marquee reached out to Samoa News to find out exactly happened to it, as they were not informed of the ‘replacement’ and why.

The group said the marquee was still in good condition.

“We heard that it was paid by ARPA Funding from the federal government?” the FHS Alumni group said. “Why waste federal dollars on a sign when a donated Marquee sign was still in good condition?”

The group went on to say that “FHS administrators and American Samoa DOE didn’t inform FHS alums about taking down the donated Marquee, wasting a DONATION… 

“Isn’t this WASTE mismanagement of taxpayer funds and wasting donations from the community?  

“The public wants to know.”

RESPONSE

Samoa News recently called Fagaitua High School and a person who spoke on the grounds of remaining anonymous said the new sign project was approved and coordinated by then FHS principal Suaese “Pooch” Ta’ase.

It was ‘erected’ right after the 2024 graduation at the school, and was a ‘gift’ from the graduating class of 2024, the source said.

In the meantime, Samoa News was told that “Pooch” is no longer the principal of FHS, and is now with the Athletics Department at ASDOE.