After taking the helm of the island’s largest agency fresh off of Typhoon Mawar, is Dr. Kenneth Swanson’s tenure as superintendent already in jeopardy?

Guam Education Board Chair Angel Sablan addressed growing speculation of an alleged push to terminate Swanson, following charges approved by the board during an emergency meeting this month.

“Well, the fact that it was voted upon to give him this list of charges is the initial part of it–but there is still a process to go. Yes, I can say for a fact that there’s people on the board that want to terminate him. Yes,” said Sablan.

The vote came following a recent revelation of GDOE’s missed opportunity to secure millions in federal grant funding.

“Some board members were just not happy—the fact that FY23-24-25–all these years went by and it wasn’t saved and it wasn’t corrected. But we also have to remember Dr. Swanson wasn’t there during those times. He was only here for FY24 and a little bit of 23, and before that, it was COVID,” added Sablan.

Sablan also pointed to frustrations over school closures and lagging maximization efforts.

The department is still facing pressure on multiple fronts.

Including the halt of COVID-19 funding for critical initiatives like the 12-school refurbishment project, upgrades to F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, and potential cuts to head start funding...

But, Sablan argued now is not the time to make a change at the top.

“For me, I will say–let him finish it off. We need him. We need him to work on these things. To put someone in new now–where are we going,” said Sablan.

The GEB Chair reiterated he still has full confidence in Swanson.

“This superintendent has already committed that every school will open on time. He worked hard last year to make sure that we didn’t go past August in opening whatever wasn’t opened, and he succeeded there. We have a report that came out of the last meeting at GW that the graduation rates are going up. So, how can you fault somebody whose numbers are going up—school numbers are going up, how am I going to say you’re failing,” added Sablan.

Meantime, Swanson's third evaluation from the board is scheduled for June.

For more on the charges for Swanson and its implications, see below.