It was a strong message from the Committee Oversight Chair on Education, Senator Vince Borja directed at the Guam Education Board, Guam Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson, and his management team.

The senator made it clear: We are in a crisis.

Borja expressed the frustration behind that statement in an interview with KUAM, “We’ve obviously been talking about the ARP funding and the ongoing projects that have been pending, and a lot of the work and back and forth and trying to work with GDOE to address this has really gone nowhere lately.” 

Borja says GDOE’s recent request to extend its liquidation period for those American Rescue Plan funding was rejected by the U.S. Department of Education due, in part, to the wording used in their request.

And when it comes to identifying local funds, Borja says that process has also hit snags.

“There’s been information and a lot of misinformation in regards to the information they share with myself, the governor, and the board, which is very inconsistent with what we agreed to do from the beginning in regards to the path forward and collaborating to ensure we address all the issues with GDOE,” said Sen. Borja. 

He adds that GDOE has been slow to provide information he requests, often requiring repeated follow-ups, or worse, no response at all.

“It’s become frustrating trying to assist them. I still want to work with them–I still have confidence in Dr. Swanson and his team–he just needs to hold people accountable when it comes to submitting information that we need to make decisions to support them,” said Borja. 

It’s critical information the legislature needs, Borja stresses, especially as it stands ready to support GDOE.

“We can’t just give money to them when we really have no money, and we’re actually going to take money from somewhere else, should we, to fund DOE,” said Borja. 

And while Borja says he hopes to avoid dragging GDOE into the legislature for an oversight hearing, he warns it may come to that, in order to get the answers needed and make informed decisions.