After months, a decision on whether or not the Simon Sanchez High School rebuild project can proceed despite an ongoing procurement protest has been made, with Acting Governor Josh Tenorio disagreeing with the outcome.

Students at Sanchez continue to face uncertainty amid an ongoing double session, proposed school mergers, and a stalled permanent rebuild. Caught in the middle, they are left without stability, disappointed, yet still hopeful. Zoe Atoigue, Class of 2028 president, shared her frustration, saying, “I would say it’s very disappointing… for over a decade, students have been using their voice to raise awareness for our schools, so it’s disappointing that all the way until the Class of '29, they might not even see it already. I know this has been a long-term problem, so it’s just really sad. But, we do hope that at least soon, we’re excited for the incoming sharks that they’ll see it.”

KUAM previously spoke with student leaders at the Home of the Sharks, who were eager to hear the outcome of the Office of Public Accountability’s decision on whether the Department of Public Works could proceed with the Simon Sanchez High School rebuild contract despite a pending procurement protest by General Pacific Services, which triggered an automatic stay of the project.

However, on Tuesday, the OPA issuing hearing officer, Joseph McDonald’s review of DPW's substantial interest determination, rejecting the bid. The rejection was based on the finding that the determination was not signed by the Guam Department of Education’s superintendent and failed to show that an award without delay is necessary to protect the substantial interests of Guam.

In short, this means the project, stalled for months after the protest triggered an automatic stay, will remain held up.

Acting Governor Tenorio issuing a statement on the matter Wednesday, expressing his disagreement with the hearing officer’s conclusion. He stated, “DPW and the Office of the Attorney General reviewed the facts, applied the law, and reached the same conclusion: moving forward is in the best interest of Guam - especially our students."

He continued saying, “students are still in double sessions, sharing campuses, and losing out on the full education they were promised. The urgency is real, documented, and ongoing. What’s at issue now is simple: whether the process becomes an excuse for delay.”

In the meantime, KUAM News reached out to GDOE for comment. A status hearing for the procurement appeal is scheduled for 9am, Wednesday, May 6, via Zoom.