Bill 126 receives mixed testimony from acting GDOE superintendent

A legislative measure to secure a dedicated funding stream for the Guam Department of Education’s facilities, maintenance, and curriculum had its public hearing Tuesday - with the department’s acting superintendent offering testimony that was both supportive and cautionary, highlighting the urgent need for facilities funding while warning against a provision that could jeopardize millions in federal support.  

It’s no secret GDOE can benefit from a reliable and predictable funding stream — so, could proposed legislation be just the thing to establish one?  Senator Sabina Perez introducing Bill 126, a measure seeking to dedicate 20% of use tax revenues to Guam DOE for capital improvement, facilities and maintenance, and investment in early childhood education. 

During Tuesday’s public hearing on the bill, acting GDOE superintendent Dr. Judi Won Pat testifying that deferred maintenance should be the primary use of the intended funds, noting that in 2022, GDOE's School Facilities Master Plan identified $110 million in deferred maintenance across the school system, a figure now three years old. 

She detailed, “If we do not establish consistent maintenance cycles now, the deferred maintenance backlog will continue to grow beyond our ability to manage it. The $110 million identified in 2022 was already significant. If we delay further, we risk seeing that figure increase substantially.”

Won Pat also pushing back on the section of the bill relative to early childhood development aligned with Head Start.  The acting superintendent expressing concern that the legislation may unintentionally trigger federal compliance violations.  She added that factoring in other compounding issues, over $6 million in critical federal support could be at risk. 

“The federal Head Start program strictly prohibits surplanting–meaning, local funds cannot replace federal funds, and federal funds cannot replace local obligations," she said.

Won Pat urging the legislature to conduct a comprehensive federal compliance review before advancing the section of the measure. 

Still, she maintained support for twenty percent of local funding for early childhood and instructional materials to promote mental health and improve facilities. 

In the meantime, bill author, Senator Sabina Perez agreeing to delete the language citing Head Start, as it was written during a time when funding for the program was uncertain.