by Krystal Paco

Guam - Jon Fernandez may have been selected as the new Department of Education superintendent last month, but finalizing his contract is proving to be quite the challenge. Some board members are questioning some added perks and benefits that weren't in the job announcement.

Guam Education Board member Joe San Agustin was under the impression that once a superintendent was selected, the individual would receive a $125,000 a year salary and the rest would be history. But after reviewing a draft contract for Fernandez, he's wondering why things have changed. "Our previous superintendent, Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood, she didn't get anything beyond the $125,000 per annum, and she survived three years," said San Agustin. "If anything, we could've renegotiated to continue."

According to the draft contract, Fernandez would receive more than a month of leave each year - specifically, 25 days of annual paid vacation (exclusive of holidays) - and 20 days of sick leave. In addition to $15,000 in relocation costs, Fernandez also wants $2,000 a month for housing allowance not to mention the $650 a month for a car and gas plus reimbursement for a laptop, tablet computer, smartphone, printer and Internet access for a home office and $300 a month to support the maintenance of that technology.

He also wants an entertainment allowance for department-related matters that is approved by the Education Board chair. That's all in addition to his $125,000 a year salary and $2,400 annual increases for satisfactory performance.

San Agustin says he can't support such lavish benefits when the Department of Education is struggling to make payroll and upkeep school facilities. "We closed F.Q. Sanchez Elementary School because we didn't have enough money; the Department of Education is crying that we're $30 million short and the Department of Education is also considering consolidating Merizo and Talofofo with Inarajan because we don't have enough money - but we have money to give to one person?" he challenged.

According to GEB member Paul Pineda, each board member was allowed a copy of the draft contract to review before a vote will be made at Wednesday's special meeting.

Fernandez is a former Guam resident and currently resides in Washington, DC as managing director of the Federal City Council. He received a unanimous vote, beating out DOE acting deputy superintendent Rob Malay and former Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse director David Shimizu. If the contract is approved, Fernandez is set to begin the job on June 1 for a term of four years. Should he be terminated, the contract provides that he will be entitled to severance pay of all the salary, allowance and compensation he would have earned under the contract for a one year period.

The board is set to vote on the draft contract on Wednesday at 8:30am in the DOA Conference Room in Hagatna.