by Krystal Paco

Guam - At today's Guam Education Board meeting members approved a budget request for nearly $284 million for Fiscal Year 2014. GovGuam's largest agency is requesting money that Department of Education superintendent Jon Fernandez says is 4% less than requested by the GEB last year and 33% more than the appropriated $214.2 million this fiscal year.

The proposed budget includes $221.6 million for current services and staffing as well as anticipated increases in utilities and contractual costs, in addition to a wishful one million in the event that salary increments could be paid out if the freeze is lifted. Another $7.1 million to support student achievement to include the hiring of 64 new fully-certified teachers and two assistant associate superintendents as well as purchase classroom supplies, textbooks, and key academic support tools including sat-10 materials, funds for graduation, and bus transportation for fieldtrips.

Another $12.5 million is set for promoting safe and healthy schools through the purchase of equipment for classrooms, playgrounds, and health and wellness activities. This segment also funds the $784,000 to support the return of Untalan Middle School to its original campus next school year and $1.9 million to purchase security cameras, radio communications, and alarm systems and cover custodial and cafeteria costs.

And to get DOE off high-risk status with federal counterparts, $4.5 million is needed to address administrative support, computer operators, and clerks who will train on the new financial management system as well as pay out Alvarez and Marsal to oversee doe's finances and assist DOE into three consecutive clean audits.

Another $14.4 million is needed to hire skilled workers to address electrical, refrigeration, welding, and plumbing as well as purchase supplies and pay maintenance service contracts. this segment includes a wishful $416,000 for renovations to the dilapidated DOE Central Office in Hagatna. Another $11.2 million will address prior period obligations, including $4.1 million owed to teachers for a furlough back in 2003.

GEB member Barry Mead says this case is presently sitting in court, but teachers are owed for two weeks of work and benefits.

Lastly, DOE is requesting $12.2 million to meet mandates and the "spirit" of the board union contract which requires 263 additional personnel including 25 additional Chamorro teachers, 76 school staff, and 145 school aides on top of the expansion of the Chamorro language program as mandated by law.

"Clearly it's a large amount we know we need a lot for education," he said, "but I think we're all going to have to prioritize in lieu of the fiscal condition of the government and the news of the tax refunds being due in six months. So what I'd like to do is submit this to the Legislature and we'll come back and work on some of the issues to reduce our spending and to really focus on what the key priorities are for the department knowing that it's not a reality to think that we're going to get everything."