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GPSS federal programs in jeopardy
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by Michele Catahay, KUAM News
Thursday, July 03, 2008
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With the Guam Public School System under the microscope by the U.S. Department of Education for its problems with instability and mismanagement of funds, more problems have surfaced yet again as several federal programs are at stake due to improper management of certain individuals of GPSS.
At risk high school students rely on programs like Eskuelan Puengi and summer school to make up credits in order to graduate on time, but come next school year, the fate of these programs is in jeopardy. Since last month Associate Superintendent for Secondary Schools, Ken Chargulaf, was given multiple deadlines to submit required documentation for these programs, but has failed to do so. Guam Education Policy Board Chairperson Joe San Agustin said federal money is not something to be messed with.
"When we're talking about federal programs, we're talking about federal money. You know U.S. DOE brought up those issues that maybe we're not fulfilling the requirement of the grant or not applying for grants timely. Now it's quite evident with the documents that you have that Mr. (Ken) Chargualaf has failed and I expect Mr. (Wilfred) Aflague to take the appropriate steps. I would only recommend number one that when you're in a management position, you should be demoted or terminated. There shouldn't be any options because everyone below you is watching you and following your lead and if you can't lead, you need to be taken off the leading position. He is one of the highest paid superintendents," San Agustin stated.
In a letter from Interim Superintendent Wilfred Aflague to Chargulaf, the Interim Superintendent stressed his extreme disappointment in Chargulaf's inability to submit crucial documentation as required by U.S. DOE. In a letter dated June 30, Aflague gave Chargulaf until Wednesday but despite multiple extensions, Chargulaf missed that deadline too. Because of Chargulaf's failure to do so, Federal Programs Administrator Ike Santos is requesting for Aflague to investigate this matter.
San Agustin stated, "Mr. (Ike) Santos seems to be holding them to the it so he's basically doing his job and if he's doing his job as federal programs administrator, then let's move on-point out the folks who are failing."
Eskuelan Puengi and summer school aren't the only programs in jeopardy. KUAM has also obtained another memo pointing out the mismanagement of the English as a Second Language program or ESL and failure to comply with the requirements of the Office for Civil Rights or OCR voluntary resolution agreement, which can potentially impact this federal grant.
The board chair added, "You also have a document that talks about ESL, that's Eloise Sanchez. So what else is going on? Who else is failing? And maybe we need to get rid of that title 'associate superintendent' because it's evident that they're not performing as an associate. I don't like to say that but it appears that that's what's happening."
All this comes shortly after U.S. DOE voiced its concerns regarding management instability at GPSS.
KUAM placed numerous calls to the interim superintendent as well as Ken Chargulaf for comment on our story, however none were returned.
Read the correspondence from Wilfred Aflague
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