Enrolling military dependents in Guam’s public schools could benefit the local school system and the military, according to Guam Del. James Moylan, who said he is not advocating closing the current Department of Defense Education Activity schools on island.
Moylan last week sent a letter to the Department of Defense, asking to discuss the possibility of enrolling military dependents in Guam public schools instead of building more DODEA schools in connection with the military buildup.
“Why don’t we just use a percentage of that (military buildup) investment and utilize it instead to improve the facilities of our public schools?” Moylan said during a press conference Wednesday morning. “We didn’t ask to close (DODEA) schools at all. Our request was related to future construction — that’s it.”
The military in 1997 withdrew its dependents from Guam Department of Education schools, citing a poor quality of education that was affecting the quality of life for military families. Guam public school students score below the national average on standardized tests, especially after the third grade.
Military dependents and the dependents of some federal employees on island instead attend DODEA schools, which started operating in refurbished military barracks and administration buildings before new facilities, such as Guam High School, were built.
Federal law allows DODEA schools to open if no schools are available near a federal installation or if the local schools are unable to provide a suitable free public education. In the U.S., DODEA operates schools in Guam, Georgia, Kentucky, New York and North Carolina.
Moylan said the idea of enrolling military dependents in Guam DOE is in its initial stages, and he expects a response from the military by next week. Moylan is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
“If this issue builds traction … then we’ll get everybody involved,” he said. “If it doesn’t work out, then we’ll continue to seek other means, other options.”
Moylan’s request to talk to the military about reintegrating military dependents comes as the Guam Department of Education faces growing challenges with school maintenance and repairs.
F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School is closed because of water-related structural damage, and its students and staff are sharing the Okkodo High School campus under a double session.
Two other schools — Oceanview Middle School and Southern High School — currently are operating with “D” sanitation ratings, and the gymnasium at George Washington High School has been closed since September 2021 because of cracks near the top of the walls.
State of emergency
Sen. Jesse Lujan on Tuesday asked the governor to declare a state of emergency for the Guam Department of Education, which he said would allow more government resources to be used to repair schools.
“It has become apparent that so many of our public schools are in a terrible state of disrepair, with chronic issues creating real-life hazards for our children on a daily basis,” Lujan stated in a letter to the governor.
Moylan on Wednesday said it’s important that Guam children and military dependents receive a good, safe education. “We know our schools need a lot of help and capital improvement projects. This is one way that the military, if they feel it’s in their interests … this is one way that we can work together and help our schools,” he said.
Sen. Chris Barnett, chairman of the legislative education committee, said Moylan is on the right track, and if his effort is successful it could result in major improvements to Guam public schools.
“With the military buildup in the final stages, the time to address the disparity between the islands separate-but-unequal school systems is now,” Barnett said.
By: Steve Limtiaco
Source: Pacific Daily News