An independent audit bringing renewed scrutiny to the Guam Education Board, just as lawmakers take up a bill that would extend board member terms.  Oversight chair on education, Senator Vince Borja’s Bill 201 was supposed to go up for a vote Thursday—the measure sought to extend the terms of both elected and appointed Guam Education Board members to four years and establish staggered elections.

During discussion on the bill, borja addressing the board’s current composition and the impact of frequent turnover. “Instability that makes it hard for good people to step in and make lasting differences. When leadership turns over every couple of years, it discourages participation," said the senator.

Borja adding the measure is about creating a system that invites people to serve and allows them to do so meaningfully.  He says extended terms and staggered elections would prevent a complete reset each election cycle—ensuring experienced members remain to mentor new ones and preserve institutional knowledge.

Senator Telo Taitague—who has oversight of the Guam Election Commission—also voicing support for the bill.  The measure was amended to remove the requirement that non-partisan Guam Education Board candidates collect 150 signatures to qualify for the ballot.

“There is no fiscal cost or any additional cost to the Guam election commission with regards to having this every two years because they do this anyway–but one thing they are saving on is the time that their employees take when counting these signatures," she said.

Still, the measure sparking broader concerns about the Guam Education Board.  Former education oversight chair, Senator Chris Barnett, arguing the bill does not address issues identified in a recent independent audit–which cited "low trust and fractured relationships" between the GEB and GDOE leadership and staff.” 

He said, “If you listen to GDOE employees, I think it’s very clear that they’ve stated many times that they have issues with members of the GEB acting outside of their role–whether that be through harassment or intimidation, or whatever the case may be.”

And while Senator Therese Terlaje says she supports staggered elections and the removal of the 150-signature requirement, she also shared a letter of opposition from GDOE's legal counsel—arguing the core problem is not the board’s composition, but a lack of accountability and transparency.

The opposition also raising concerns about extended terms—pointing to recent critical public sentiment regarding the board’s leadership, credibility, decision-making, and lack of transparency—arguing these issues warrant more frequent opportunities for the public to replace members, not fewer.

She said, “At present, it is a self policing board. This system has resulted in no consequences for board members who have been the subject of ethics complaints.”

And despite an initial move to send the bill to the Third Reading File, it was ultimately sent back to committee.