Science is Fun and Awesome Learning Academy Charter School is facing eviction from its Barrigada campus, with its landlord claiming the school owes over $5 million in back rent.

Court records show Eagles Land Holdings, LLC says SIFA has been occupying the property without a lease since June 30, 2023, and was notified of its hold-over tenancy termination on April 1. 

But SIFA’s Attorney, Mike Phillips, contends the charter school has been a good tenant, alleging the landlord created a problem when it stopped sending invoices.

“SIFA paid every single penny, every single cent, every single time they were invoiced. But you can go down to the Department of Administration and tell them that they owe you money, and unless you have an invoice, they’re not going to pay you–they can’t. Under law, that’s the way it operates,” said Phillips. 

Phillips contending the landlord themselves admitted it was a voluntary act on their part, in essence, not to be paid. 

adding he believes it appears Eagles Land Holdings wanted SIFA to run into large debt. 

He also notes SIFA had offered to pay the landlord in the case prior to this current lawsuit.   

“They haven’t said that SIFA hasn’t paid–they’re basically saying that they haven’t received rent. And that’s very different from saying that SIFA refuses to pay and is unable to pay. If I were a senator or at DOA, I would wonder what the problem is? They’ve got the money, it’s allocated,” said Phillips.  

KUAM reached out to Attorney Jon Ramos for Eagles Land Holdings, LLC for comment but did not receive a response as of news time. 

Phillips also brings other issues to light.

“I’ve concluded that the summons are wrong, and they just can’t fix it by changing the number of days. I don’t think that the landlord intended to serve another summons–that’s their choice. Most importantly, at least for now, they’ve served the wrong party,” said Phillips. 

Meantime, as the school year nears a close, Phillips says SIFA is considering moving to a new facility, as action SIFA may take against the landlord remains open. 

Parties will be back in court to discuss on May 28.