by Michele Catahay

Guam - Guam Federation of Teachers steward Carol Sommerfleck walked out of the Executive Council meeting dissatisfied. President Matt Rector refused to let Sommerfleck's attorney into the meeting, despite a notice issued to him by the law firm of Civille & Tang.

Earlier today, Attorney Patrick Civille wrote a letter to Rector in which he said that the hearing should be cancelled, as it fails to give due process and lacks specificity on what conduct Sommerfleck is deemed to warrant an investigation. Sommerfleck was asked to prepare a defense even though she said she was not aware of the allegations made against her. Because Rector failed to comply with the notice to cancel the hearing, the firm will be seeking protection from the U.S. District Court of Guam.

Sommerfleck showed up today refusing to participate in the hearing, saying she hasn't been given notice of her alleged misconduct. Not only was her legal counsel not allowed into the meeting, but she says Rector also told her she's not allowed to record anything in the meeting, either through audio or video.

In the meantime, the GFT steward says she will be meeting with her lawyer to determine how they're going to go about with the case. Teachers at Agana Heights Elementary School showed up to support Sommerfleck by holding a protest outside the union's Mangilao offices.