Plans to replace Joan K. Mendel Elementary School at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo have been delayed at least five years due to the project’s “size and executability concurrent with other school projects,” according to DODEA-Pacific spokeswoman Miranda Ferguson. (Stars and Stripes)

Major projects underway in Japan include a $150 million replacement for Nile C. Kinnick High School at Yokosuka Naval Base south of Tokyo and the $95 million replacement of Bechtel Elementary School at Camp McTureous on Okinawa, DODEA Pacific chief of staff Todd Schlitz told Stars and Stripes by phone July 28.

New school construction in the Pacific is creating “21st century schools” to prepare students for tech-focused jobs, Corey Comegys, DODEA Pacific’s chief of facilities, said on the phone call with Schlitz.

DODEA Pacific has approximately $126 million in projects in the initial planning and feasibility stages for the Kanto region, which encompasses bases in and near Tokyo, Comegys said. Another $38 million in projects are in the initial planning and feasibility stages at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

“They are really designed to support the educational needs of our kids … shared spaces, open classrooms, areas to collaborate,” he said. “It is a testimony to DODEA and the Department of Defense in how we are investing in our schools and students.”