The Guam Department of Education has acknowledged they are aware of the sex discrimination complaint filed against them through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez said during a weekly media meeting Thursday that he couldn’t make a comment on the sex discrimination case regarding a transgender school aide employed at George Washington High School in Mangilao. However, he did admit to knowing about the case.

"I am familiar with the complaint as reported by KUAM but as far as our engagement with the agencies that have been identified in your report we have not gotten to that point," he said. "So again we wouldn't comment on the details of a particular case or investigation. But we do want to just assure you that any complaint that's filed at the department is taken seriously and of course we will work cooperatively with the federal agencies to see what needs to be done to address the complaint and be responsive and cooperative in that process."

As KUAM News reported, Shelley Quinata, who has been with GDOE for 15 years, filed a complaint last month with the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Shelley alleges GDOE discriminated against her on the basis of sex.

"The treatment was so bad that I would have lunch and breaks in my car because I was scared to talk," she told KUAM News exclusively.

US DOE referred the case to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Quinata believes she's being discriminated against because she is transgender.

As for other faculty and staff who may be in a hostile work environment, Fernandez had this to say.

"If an employee feels bullied by another adult on campus either they report it to their administrator, or if they believe that they are administrators are involved they can report it higher to a deputy or to the superintendent’s office through directly to the superintendent or through the EEO, … or the employee management officer as well," Fernandez said.

Shelley also inquired with the Guam Police Department Wednesday but was advised to resolve the situation with GDOE.