Bill calling for GDOE to be more transparent about school conditions gets favorable testimony

It's a bill that would require the Guam Department of Education to be transparent about health and safety hazards in the schools. 

During a public hearing Thursday afternoon, Sen. Chris Barnett said shared what he only learned after touring the schools as the education committee chair. 

"We had the flea infestation at DL Perez and the rodent issues at Simon Sanchez and the mold problems at Southern High School," he said. "And there was a classroom at George Washington High School that had asbestos in it.  I don’t think that senators should have to tour the schools for the public to know about the conditions in them. And that’s kind of the gist of this bill."

Bill 44, or the safe school facilities Act of 2023, requires the GDOE superintendent to come up with a plan to notify the public of and address the health and safety hazards at the schools– such as infestation, hazardous material, or structural issues. 

The measure received supportive testimony from Guam Education Board Vice Chair Maria Guiterrez, who was speaking as a private citizen. 

"Monday, there was a training and I went to a water fountain at a school," she testified. "When I saw the water fountain, I had to hold my tongue because how could the water fountain not be clean? "I support this bill as a private citizen. Like I said, as a grandmother and great-grandmother, I want to make sure that this is a bible for the Department of Education to follow."

Guttierez said the board had not yet come together as a body to take a position on the bill. 

The measure also received support from other lawmakers present, but Sen. Telo Taitague questioned how the measure would be enforced.

"We give them, the DOE, the authority to do something like this but what if they don’t do it? How do we enforce it," she questioned.

Also discussed during the hours-long public hearing were Bill 42 which would require an automated external defibrillator in all schools, and Bill 62 which would align the charter school law with a supreme court ruling to allow religious schools to apply for the charter school process. 

The measures also received supportive testimony. 

Also to ensure schools are properly maintained, Sen. Joe San Agustin introduced a bill allowing GDOE to hire retired facilities and maintenance personnel.