Calvo requests for another extension

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and the Department of Education can only hope the federal government will grant his request. At the request of former interim DOE Superintendent Taling Taitano and new Superintendent Jon Fernandez, Governor Calvo – for a second time – has asked U.S. DOE for an extension on the use of federal stimulus funds. Most of the ARRA money that is supposed to be used to repair the island's public schools hasn't even been obligated yet. "I don't understand why this money hasn't been spent to fix the schools for our kids and teachers," Governor Calvo said. "This is the second time I've been asked to make this extension request. Let's just hope U.S. DOE honors this second request.

According to a media release from the Governor's office, this issue, which deals with millions in remaining unobligated ARRA funds for school repairs and air conditioning, has gone by without a single legislative oversight hearing. The press release went on to state that during a roundtable discussion held earlier this year, the legislative majority, specifically the budget chairman, expressed full confidence in DOE's ability to make the repairs and spend this money on time. "I can't believe we're here again," Governor Calvo said. "I've spoken with the new superintendent about this and he's just as concerned at the glacial pace of the repairs using this money."

The Governor's request is ahead of another roundtable discussion on the DOE ARRA issue. Speaker Judi Won Pat, who also chairs the Legislative Committee on Education plans to get an update on where DOE is in expending the millions in stimulus money. The ARRA money must be obligated by September 30^th. The roundtable meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 in the evening at the Legislative Public Hearing Room.

"We're running against the clock here," Governor Calvo said. "I don't want to lose that money, because our students and teachers need it."