The Tiyan disaster debris disposal site may be closed, but it remains out in the open for many in the area to see - like students at the Science is Fun And Awesome charter school, who will be returning this school year to a rather messy view. 

It’s a massive eyesore for the students, faculty, and staff at SIFA.  The learning academy’s campus positioned directly behind the Tiyan disposal site are giving the Home of the Manta Rays, alongside Tiyan High School and many others in the area, a front-row view of the unsightly mounds of junk.  But what’s primarily concerning administrators at SIFA is the possible health hazard the dump site poses. 

Chief of academics and accreditation Richard Guerrero told KUAM News, “The number one concern of parents is the health side of their kids. “  SIFA hopes the waste materials will be removed by the start of the school year - August 4.  

Administrator of student affairs Dylan Sablan said, “We were under the impression that the debris would be cleared up by August, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.” 

The charter school is now looking to write to the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, just down the street from their campus and the Department of Public Health, requesting a timeline of how long the dump will sit there and for proper notice should any pesticides be sprayed at the location again. 

But in the interim, both Guerrero and Sablan say they will implement added health and safety measures for the school. 

In the meantime, Guerrero says SIFA is seeing an uptick in enrollment in light of the Guam Department of Education pushing back its reopening schedule, adding SIFA stands ready to support the island’s educational needs.