The holiday break offers time for the Guam Department of Education to roll up its sleeves and get back to fixing what they can at local schools. A good plan, as students are out of the classroom. Now, meet some of the members that make up the small team working to get 41 public schools up to par.

Aging facilities, mold, and more. Ray Meno with GDOE told KUAM News when asked about the largest challenges for the very small team working on the campuses, “Getting materials and having enough man power to do the work and coordinating everything.”

Meno has worked with the Facilities and Maintenance Divsion for 27 years. KUAM linked up with him and his crew at Harry S. Truman in Santa Rita. The crew getting those materials like bathroom sinks, which must be ADA compliant, other requirements include installing exhaust fans in a restroom, along with lighting, and making sure bathroom stalls are at the proper height.

Supervisor John Palomo added, “You’re implementing standards now that we have to abide with and we’re not prepared…so we’re trying to get prepared and we’re trying to get whatever materials we need to start.”

His team is making the most of Christmas Break to prepare the campuses for their upcoming inspections by Public Health. “Pretty much the classroom–floor tiles, plexiglass, doors–this is not sealed so this is not complete, but we have some time, and we’ll go ahead and address those as they see fit or as they have materials to do it," he shared.

Crews also slated to tackle electrical and air conditioning work, working on two schools ahead of inspections. It's a tall order to fulfill with limited resources and manpower.

But Palomo says he’s confident they can get it done. When asked if he thinks the school will be ready and capable of passing come inspection day, he said confidently, “Absolutely...no doubt about it.”

Palomo assuring the island community, and most of all – GDOE students he and his team are dedicated to providing them with a school that meets all health and safety standards.

“We’re gonna do what we can with what we have in the timely manner that we can do it possibly–we just wanna make sure that when the kids come into any school, any classroom–that there’s a conducive and safe learning environment," he said.

His team are the unsung heroes working tirelessly and taking time away from loved ones this holiday season to give students a better and safer learning environment. A team he is thankful to have by his side.

“I just wanna say thank you for your hard work and your dedication throughout this time. With these inspections, I’m glad you’re behind me, and we’re moving forward and we’re gonna do it what it takes to get these schools done – Merry Christmas to my staff and happy holidays to everyone out there!” he said.

A happy holiday and hopefully the gift of a passing grade from Public Health.