How can idle or underused public schools be turned into revenue to support the maintenance of active campuses? Lawmakers discussed a bill that aims to do just that, drawing support from education officials at a recent public hearing. 

It’s a straightforward measure in intent, but one with far-reaching potential to support the Guam Department of Education. Senator Joe San Agustin introduced Bill 70, which aims to allow GDOE to execute long-term leases for underutilized or vacant school properties.  The funds generated could then be used to maintain schools that are still in active use.

He said, “Even though you do have a law that authorizes you to rent your unoccupied schools, if the bill is signed, and I hope it gets passed, you can start renting them today and then be prepared to do the lease. And once it passes, you can foresee the funding to come into your lap.”

GDOE superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson voiced his support for the bill, noting that it creates a legal avenue to repair, modernize, and replace aging facilities beyond appropriations.  “Currently, we have three campuses that are surplus to our classroom space needs, and there is interest in leasing them over time for other government operations and charter school activities," he said.

Guam Education Board chair Angel Sablan also testifying in support, but calling for amendments. He adds while GDOE owns the facilities, not all the land they sit on is under the agency’s ownership. One example: the newly-decommissioned Chief Brodie Elementary School.

“We don’t want some other entity to come in, wait a minute, that’s my property," said Sablan. "We need to make sure that’s all clear–so that when it comes, it comes as a whole and not just–we lease the facility and they have to lease the property from some other entity.”

Sablan also recommending clearer language to ensure lease-generated funds go directly to GDOE - not the General Fund - and suggested reducing the number of GEB members on the procurement team to three.

Meanwhile, Senator Therese Terlaje advised GDOE to work closely with its legal counsel and procurement officials to craft a standard. She also suggested tapping the Guam Economic Development Authority. 

“I think there should be protections in here where it is competitive, where it is going to be treated like any GovGuam property where we have provisions required in the lease, we have to make sure liability–the other law said if someone is going to use your campus liability goes to them–all of that should be very clear in the lease," she said.

Education officials noted that they are also exploring federal partnerships and charter school options.