by Krystal Paco

Guam - Six superintendent hopefuls may have applied to be the head of the Department of Education, but according to Guam Education Board vice chair Dr. Paul Pineda, only one submission was complete. Pineda says four applicants failed to submit required documents, including recommendation letters, court and police clearances and transcripts while one applicant may not have met the deadline.

Pineda says the search committee is going to recommend to the board to extend the deadline to April 30 because the pool of applicants is too small. Pineda believes there is no need to rush the search as interim superintendent Taling Taitano is performing all duties exceptionally.

The six applicants were Jon Fernandez, Dr. Tupeni Lebaivalu Baba, Dr. Antoinette Laguana Morta, Michelle Mendiola, Elwin C. Quitano, and David Leon Guerrero Shimizu. The position has been vacant since former superintendent Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood retired last year.