Guam - The Department of Education is looking to fill 82 teacher vacancies and fast. With the new school year less than a month away, DOE superintendent Jon Fernandez says over 40 referrals are in the process as teachers are being identified by school principals as good matches.

With 40 positions still open, Fernandez says in the past, teachers may opt to use their prep periods to teach a class and will be compensated for the work.

Looking ahead, he's hoping to sit down with officials from the University of Guam and the Guam Community College to create a projection of teacher needs.