by Krystal Paco

Guam - 33 faculty members at Agana Heights Elementary School have begun the grievance process as a result of the government wide increment freeze that took effect in 2011. At Wednesday's Guam Education Board meeting, Attorney Daniel Somerfleck spoke on behalf of the DOE employees who allege the increment freeze interferes with a student's ability to receive an adequate public education.

He said, "The reason we present this to you all tonight is because we consider you our protectors. We consider you the protectors of an adequate public education for our children. The key aspect that these teachers are coming forward with is they are in the law the key aspect of an adequate public education."

Last year the board approved paying out the increments but couldn't afford them because of the 15% reserve imposed on all GovGuam agencies. Somerfleck says the next step in the grievance process is to present the issue to DOE superintendent Jon Fernandez.