Guam - The Department of Education's Austerity Committee has gathered the recommendations that they believe will help save the Government of Guam money. Committee Chairperson Lisa Cooper-Nurse says the recommendations include merging F.Q. Sanchez with Merizo Elementary, which could save about $1.5 million, as well as freezing increments, and implementing a hiring freeze for non-critical positions that would save doe some $12 million.

She adds that doe would also save about $7 million if they suspended ongoing textbook adoptions. She added, "We did discuss how some of the recommendations would be a concern to employees but at this point it is put out there and we did put a number and cost savings to that and so some of the recommendations to require policy changes or changes to the law but they were included in the report."

The recommendations are similar to the evergreens management audit conducted a couple of years ago. Doe has yet to implement those findings.

In the meantime, the austerity measures will now go to the Guam Education Board for approval.