by Krystal Paco

Guam - Dozens of Department of Education employees are fighting for their raises and they've taken their concerns to the Civil Service Commission. Grievances were filed last week with the Commission by Agana Heights Elementary School teacher Carol Somerfleck, who is joined by 37 other Agana Heights employees seeking increments with retro pay to the dates they were due.

The teacher contend DOE improperly implemented the executive order for freezes throughout the Government of Guam by Acting Governor Ray Tenorio in 2011. Somerfleck tells KUAM News that if tax refunds and merit bonuses can be paid out, so should increments.

Somerfleck is supported by DOE's administrative grievance committee whose findings showed that previous and current DOE budgets included increments anticipated for the upcoming school year.

Superintendent Jon Fernandez's response, however, showed it was outside DOE's authority to make such payouts. A hearing is set for April 25th.

Meanwhile, Okkodo High School teacher Barbara Janssen has also submitted a grievance related to not receiving her increment, which was due in March of last year.