12K children will not return to school on Aug. 8
GUAM—Bill No. 317-37 that would have prevented public schools from closing failed to pass. Democrat Senator Dwayne T.D. San Nicolas introduced this legislation at the request of the Guam Department of Education.
“I want to apologize to the children and parents for the 37th Guam Legislature’s failure to pass Bill 317-37,” said San Nicolas. “The closure of 26 schools will affect more than 12,00 students.”
According to GDOE, 18 schools are awaiting inspections, plus eight are up for reinspection later this month.
If the bill was enacted, Bill 317 would allow Guam Department of Education public schools awaiting Department of Public Health and Social Services inspections to open for School Year 2024-2025. With Bill 317’s failure to pass by the Guam Legislature, public school students will be in double session, alternating schedules, and or online learning.
Voting to keep schools close were Sens. Telo Taitague, Frank Blas Jr., Joanne Brown, Jesse Lujan, Chris Barnett, Speaker Therese Terlaje and Sabina Perez.
“Thank you to Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes, Sens. Joe S. San Agustin, Roy A.B. Quinata, Amanda Shelton and Thomas Fisher for voting in favor of Bill 317,” Sen. San Nicolas said. “I also want to thank DPHSS for their willingness to collaborate and to work with GDOE on a weekly basis to keep schools open. Thank you to the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio administration for standing ready to get our children back to school.” (PR)
Dwyane T.D. San Nicolas
