Guam Department of Education

The meeting agenda includes reports on various school facility and renovation projects, financial status and audit updates, and instructional initiatives such as Head Start and a resolution on civics education integration. Discussions will cover policy reviews, including food and nutrition services and a new artificial intelligence usage policy, as well as legislative proposals, instructional day waivers, and the allocation of lapsed funds. Additionally, the board will address personnel matters, collective bargaining, and the superintendent's evaluation during an executive session.

The board meeting agenda covered a wide range of operational and academic topics including status reports on various school facility projects, mold mitigation, and financial issues. Discussions included the superintendent's employment agreement, adjustments to meeting times, and committee reports on instructional support, head start programs, and safe school initiatives. Furthermore, the board planned to review financial reports, audit updates, and legal counsel matters, while also addressing new business such as a textbook audit and upcoming professional development conferences. The meeting also included an executive session for personnel matters, collective bargaining, and the superintendent's evaluation.

The board meeting focused on a comprehensive review of the Superintendent's report, covering the status of facility projects such as JFKHS/SSHS double sessions, FEMA projects, FBLG renovations, and mold mitigation, along with updates on student behavior, financial issues, and the Micronesia Leadership Summit. Key agenda items included 2026 standing committee assignments, the Head Start report, and a resolution to reintroduce civics education. The board also addressed fiscal management, including financial reports, grant status updates for the fiscal year, and audit management. Additional business involved reviewing legislative proposals, conducting an executive session regarding personnel, collective bargaining, legal matters, and the Superintendent's evaluation, followed by sessions for celebrate success and public participation.

The meeting included the introduction of the new Superintendent's deputies. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to celebrating successes, including JROTC cadets from Simon Sanchez High School and Okkodo High School, and a student recognized for enlisting in the Guam Army National Guard and achieving a Platinum badge on the WorkKeys Assessment. Key discussion points involved drafting a resolution in support of Faniyakan CHamoru utilizing the Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School facility. The Board approved the consent calendar, which included rejecting the minutes of prior emergency meetings, and nominated Guam Police Officer Isiah Ibanez for the Government of Guam Service Star Award. The Fiscal Management Committee report highlighted significant progress in reducing accounts payable and outlined strategies for monitoring federal grants, including extensions for certain programs. The Board also approved amendments to several board policies (105, 105.10, 115, 120.2, 120.4, 125.3, 125.12, and 130) and tabled the BRIP Review and Recommendations. The Safe & Healthy Schools Committee discussed security concerns, specifically non-operational elevators at Southern High School, and explored policies for renting school facilities to generate revenue while considering liability and potential middle school designation for Chief Brodie Memorial Elementary School. The Board postponed discussion of the FY 2024 Audit Report until February and agreed to draft a unified statement regarding factual inaccuracies found within the report for an upcoming legislative hearing. Finally, the Board elected Dr. Judith Guthertz as Chair and Dr. Mary A.Y. Okada as Vice Chair, and accepted the revised CHamoru Language & Culture Program Standards/Performance Indicators.

The primary discussion centered on Resolution 2026-02, concerning the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the Guam Department of Education, totaling $307,027,564.82. The budget incorporates an updated staffing pattern, addresses collective bargaining compliance by adding 267 new positions, and allocates funds for personnel services, contractual services, supplies, and equipment. Discussions ensued regarding whether GDOE's submission was required to be performance-based, with clarification that the legislature ultimately did not mandate it for the current cycle, though the submission showed readiness. Concerns were raised regarding the availability of FY2025 local fund lapses and security funding for schools, including the installation of solar lights and cameras. Further discussion involved the relocation of the Faniyakan CHamoru program from Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School (LBJES) and the need for proactive funding allocation for this purpose. The Board also discussed the timeline for announcing a final plan to end double sessions at Simon Sanchez High School (SSHS). The resolution to adopt the FY2027 budget was ultimately passed with an 8-1 vote after making corrections regarding extraneous paragraphs related to prior superintendent findings and compensation proposals.