Tuesday’s Guam Education Board meeting took a turning point as Guam Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson announced he will be stepping down at the end of the year.

“After careful resignation and with a heavy heart, I am formally submitting this letter as a six-month notice of my resignation as superintendent of the Guam Department of Education,” said Swanson. 

Visibly emotional, Swanson cited health issues as the reason for his decision, reading from a letter dated June 17, just hours after a one-on-one interview with KUAM in which he spoke about his relationship with the board amid ongoing discussions about his role.

“We’ve been looking at the issues and having conversations privately, mostly, to understand where we are,” Swanson added. “That is for personnel matters, and I will be dealing with those with them this evening.” 

The board unanimously accepted his notice, expressing support, appreciation, and sadness, committing to help him finish his term strong.

GEB member Dr. Judith Guthertz shared these remarks, “Your efforts have been appreciated, and you still have work to do. You've got to help us get our Simon Sanchez school open, Rios done, and a lot of other things, and you’re going to be busy for the next six months. I would like to ask everyone in our department to support our superintendent. Help him, help him! Whatever your individual jobs are, contribute to moving ahead.”

Meanwhile, GEB Chair Angel Sablan declined Swanson’s request for an earlier departure, reinforcing his trust in the superintendent.

“Not having somebody who's tried his best around makes me sad–but he knows what’s best for him and his family,” said Sablan.

To note, Swanson took the helm of the Government of Guam’s largest agency after Typhoon Mawar and has repeatedly expressed his commitment to rebuilding and stabilizing Guam’s public school system.

“It’s been a privilege to serve the students and families, and educators of Guam,” said Swanson. 

Meanwhile, Guam Federation of Teachers President Tim Fedenko, expressed hope that the superintendent role wouldn’t take a year to fill again.