“We as leaders continue to fail—and that includes the legislature, past administrations, and the Guam Education Board.” That candid assessment coming from education oversight chair Senator Vince Borja following the release of the Guam Department of Education’s Fiscal Year 2024 audit—sparking renewed efforts for major education reforms.

The freshman policymaker said, “Obviously, when you look at the audit, they’re looking at things from 24 and later–which is why you look at the surplus and how large it is, they just don’t have the bandwidth to spend the money that they get, which is unacceptable–because at the end of the day, and you’ve been here long enough to know that that they always come back and say we need more money or we’re going to run out of money.”

Borja pointing out that repeated emergency funding requests have obscured deeper, systemic failures in budgeting, planning, execution, and internal controls. He stresses the need for stronger accountability within the education system, something he says has been challenging due to significant turnover in GDOE's executive leadership, as highlighted in the audit.

 “We know that the current structure is not working. When we look at operations and accountability—so, those are the discussions. I have my opinion on what I want to do," he said. "We’re deliberating that with the committee, the education committee here at the legislature–there’s some different things that we’re considering.”

Among the options being explored are: strengthening the responsibilities of the Guam Education Board, transferring more control to the Executive Branch, restructuring the board to be fully appointed, and establishing a centralized state education office. Borja has led these conversations on the future governance of GDOE recently.

He stated, “I want to be able to have this discussion with the board as well. They’re not all going to agree with what the legislature may propose," adding, "they have publicly, their position may change now that Dr. Swanson is gone–but when he was here–they were like, get rid of the board—we have no power, there’s nothing we can do, we can’t do anything, if you give us more power, then we can do more things–but if not, there’s no need for the board.”

The education chair adding that he believes most of his colleagues in the legislature will not support transferring control of GDOE back to the Executive Branch.

Meanwhile, Borja is eager to hear tangible solutions from new GDOE superintendent Dr. Judi Won Pat. In response to the audit, Won Pat said, “My leadership team and I recognize the importance of these audit results and are fully committed to implementing recommendations that enhance transparency, accountability, and compliance with all laws and regulations.”