Buzz is swirling about school closures next year, but what if some campuses can’t shut down due to unique circumstances? Preliminary findings from Guam Department of Education officials suggest that might be the reality for a select few.

There’s been heavy speculation about which GDOE schools will close as part of the department’s rightsizing efforts, but what about the campuses that can’t? When adjusted school capacities are factored in - excluding temporary classrooms, wooden structures, and even butler tin materials - some schools initially considered for consolidation may stay open, like Harry S. Truman and Marcial Sablan elementary schools.

Joe Sanchez is the deputy superintendent of curriculum and instructional improvement at the agency, and told KUAM News, “If that’s the case, then both schools cannot be decommissioned. Because Truman can no longer fit into Marcial Sablan, and certainly, Marcial Sablan cannot fit into Truman Elementary.”

While these findings are still preliminary, the situation hits a further snag as the nearest elementary schools are too far away for many families in the southwest. Similar issues also arise in southern areas Malesso, Inalahan, and Talofofo. Education officials noting strong community opposition to consolidation plans, with distance between campuses being a major concern.

“Based on adjusted capacities and cost for repairs," noted Sanchez, "it’s possible that we can’t even do the consolidations because neither of the schools will fit into each other.”

It’s all things up for further discussion as GDOE superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson is scheduled to give his recommendations for school decommissioning to the Guam Education Board by December 30. It makes for a tight deadline that has education officials urging the community to submit feedback by December 27 as they finalize their report.

Another round of virtual community briefings is scheduled for this evening, covering the Kattan and Kuchan regions. You can join the Zoom call at the link below:

Join Zoom Meeting: https://gdoe.zoom.us/j/5907297795?omn=93755782750
Meeting ID: 590 729 7795
Passcode: gdoe