Senators will head into emergency session Monday to discuss three bills that propose to assist the Guam Department of Education with its plans to make some much needed repairs at its school campuses. Senators will head into emergency session Monday to discuss three bills that propose to assist the Guam Department of Education with its plans to make some much needed repairs at its school campuses.
Spkr. Therese Terlaje called for the emergency session minutes after Education Committee chairperson Sen. Chris Barnett made the request, and after several hours of talks about the poor conditions of the schools held Friday at the Guam Congress Building with Parent-Teacher Organization members.
The bills on the agenda include:
– Bill No. 29 which would update the sanitation regulations to promote health and safety of our schools;
– Bill No. 32 which would appropriate $30 million to the Guam Department of Education for school infrastructure repairs and maintenance; and
– Bill No. 46 which would provide temporary expedited procurement for acquisitions funded with American Rescue Plan Act moneys allotted to the Guam Department of Education.
“I am hoping we can move thoroughly and expeditiously to debate and pass these measures. I believe they will set into motion the solutions public school stakeholders have waited decades for,” said Sen. Barnett. “GDOE originally wanted 20 years to comply with school sanitation rules, and the Acting Superintendent has asked us for another year, but the People of Guam are tired of excuses and delays. I know this Legislature is moving forward with their blessing.”
Sen. Jesse Lujan, who recently asked Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero to declare a state of emergency for GDOE, issued a news release stating the status quo of the public schools is unacceptable.
“The children and parents of GDOE deserve so much better,” said Lujan. “The Legislature, the Governor, and the senior management of GDOE need to work together and act with urgency. Enough is enough. The Legislature can do its part by going into session and acting on the three bills that can begin to provide relief. This is just step one in addressing the problems facing GDOE. We should wait no longer.”
Senators will go into emergency session Monday at 2 p.m.
By: Nick Delgado
Source: KUAM News