The Guam Education Board is moving closer to naming the next superintendent of the Guam Department of Education, with a possible decision after its October 21 meeting. On Monday, three of the five candidates facing questions from the public as the selection process continues.

Fresh off their interviews with members of the GEB this past weekend—three of the five applicants faced questions from the public, during a press conference at GDOE's headquarters in Tiyan. Erika Cruz, Joe Sanchez and Dr. Barbara Adamos fielding questions on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and other pressing concerns. Candidates Dr. Judith Won Pat and Kenneth Perez were not present due to prior commitments.

On building trust through transparency—the applicants shared their approaches to keeping the public informed and included. Sanchez said, “I will try to create a culture where a FOIA is not necessary.”

“Individuals should not have to resort to a FOIA to say, hey, we want to see a copy of these–there’s nothing to hide, these are government documents you should be able to get it.”

Cruz noted, “Transparency, I think, is extremely important–because without transparency, there’s going to be problems. If you hide a problem or a situation, then it becomes an issue", with Dr. Adamos commenting, “Transparency is so key in the role of superintendent–what I plan to do is–I want to have listening circles with the schools by regions.”

On fiscal responsibility—the candidates weighed in on how they would prevent funding lapses before GDOE’s budget request to the legislature.  “We currently do not have a comptroller," pointed out Cruz. "I think we need to have a comptroller to assist our deputy superintendent of finance.”

“As the superintendent of education, I will clearly ensure that all of our money is spent wisely. That’s important–and we must be transparent about how we’re spending our money because obviously, we are not being transparent."

Adamos continued, “I want to bring my DFAS, my deputies, anyone who has their hands in any funding–consolidated grants, project leads, business office–I want them to see the big picture–this is how much money we have to spend, this is when it has to be spent–this is every milestone along the way, this is who is responsible, and I want to see progress time and time again.”

And Sanchez said, “Making sure we have qualified individuals who are in all of those positions, and to make sure that the superintendent–whether it's me or whoever–is regularly engaged with both sides: federal and local to make sure that monitoring a very consistent spend-down plan on a regular basis. As opposed to coming toward the end of a fiscal year, and all of a sudden we have these lapses.”

The trio also touched on teacher recruitment and retention, facilities, and partnerships.