Transmitted via electronic email
The Honorable Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero
I Maga’hågan Guåhan
Ricardo J. Bordallo Complex
Hagatña, Guam 96910
RE: Requesting for a State of Emergency on the Guam Department of Education
Håfa adai Maga’håga Leon Guerrero,
I am writing to respectfully ask you to declare a State of Emergency for the Guam Department of Education (GDOE). 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. Basic repairs are so backlogged that the list of work has become unmanageable. Almost every school has a list of repairs that is months, if not years, old. Oftentimes even the most basic maintenance is delayed for months and months.
The law allowing GDOE to not be penalized for sanitary violations is being abused and too many of our public schools are failing the few standard inspections that are actually being conducted. Our schools are receiving unacceptable grades from the Department of Public Health but don’t face the same consequences as every other organization or private business.
I believe your decisive executive leadership is immediately needed. We should no longer accept the status quo. I believe if you marshal the resources and flexibility available under a state of emergency declaration, you can ensure the necessary resources are quickly activated and immediate progress can take place. Our children deserve nothing less.
I hope you will act on my request and I standby ready to assist and support you.
Si Yu’os ma’åse,
Jesse A. Lujan
Senator, 37th Guam Legislature