The Committee Chair on Education plans to hold a roundtable meeting to discuss concerns raised about mandatory vaccinations and weekly COVID-19 testing.

 The decision to hold a roundtable discussion follows a recent meeting Senator Telena Nelson had with a group called United for Education. The group consists of parents, support staff, students, teachers, retired educators, and guardians who oppose the governor's executive order mandating COVID vaccinations and weekly COVID testing.

"It went very well," the policymaker summarized. "I respect the decision for them not to be vaccinated. I believe that as leaders we need to do a better job at knowledge sharing and somehow they feel certain members of our community that they feel there is discrimination against those who are unvaccinated and really we need to deter from that type of mentality."

It was in October when the group wrote the letter to the Guam Department of Education, Guam Federation of Teachers, as well as to the Guam Legislature. The group cited a climate of fear, confusion, and discrimination against employees who refuse to comply with the governor's order for mandatory vaccination or weekly testing.

"For them to be vaccinated or unvaccinated is the right of the individual," said Sen. Nelson, "and they should have that freedom to do so without any negative repercussions. As a community leader, I respect those whatever they decide in the situation. The vaccine is still very new, we don't know the long-term effects of this vaccine and so we need to ensure that our policy accommodates everyone those that are vaccinated and unvaccinated."

According to GDOE, as of October 27, only three employees were placed on annual leave for failing to comply with the governor's directive. The governor in her executive order stated that those who do not comply shall be subject to disciplinary procedures, which may include disciplinary action.

"It's not just three, there are more than three teachers who are going through a similar plight. And we are going to also hold a roundtable hearing to discuss some of the inconsistencies that the teachers feel have been placed in personnel rules and regulations within GDOE and the Department of Administration," she noted.

The letter from the group expressed that they are willing to return to work and accept the treatment with certain conditions like no discrimination, and more educational materials about the COVID vaccine.

The Department of Public Health and Social Services, Department of Administration, and GDOE are expected to attend the roundtable discussion as soon as a date is set.