As any civic lesson will tell you, government has responsibilities. These include maintaining roads, schools, medical services such as hospitals, and public housing.
Tax dollars or the federal government provide the funding for services.
Ancient Athens developed a Council of 500, chosen by lottery, to manage the day-to-day business of government.
In Guam, we have a government of 11,700 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Plans March report.
The Guam Department of Education has a mission statement on its website:
“To transform data into action to ensure equitable opportunities, accountable systems, and safe learning environments — supporting continuous improvement and student success across the Guam Department of Education.”
GDOE employs about 4,000 employees, though that number includes teachers and a variety of other staff. It has departments with clear goals for managing 38 schools. These include Finance & Administration: Manages agency budgets, fiscal accountability, and financial operations; Facility & Maintenance/Capital Improvement Projects: Oversees school repairs, upkeep, and physical plant updates; Federal Programs Division: Manages federal grants and federally funded educational initiatives.
GDOE recently let federal funds lapse, did not get all schools ready for the opening of the 2026 to 2027 school year, and has been unable for years to finalize the construction of a new Simon Sanchez high school in Yigo. Recently, after months of delay, the Guam Department of Public Works threw out the current Request for Proposal for construction of a new school and Tiyan High School still has maintenance issues.
GDOE has a board of directors, with Angel Sablan currently the chairman. The superintendent is Judith Won Pat, a former teacher and school administrator.
Alongside teachers, past, present and future students are now vocal through demonstrations of their own and attend board meetings. Who can blame them?
GDOE needs professional leadership within its crucial departments and at the board level, and simple plans that can be executed. We live in hope against all evidence to the contrary, but that leadership needs to be seen to be shown and quickly. Simon Sanchez and Tiyan High School students and families are waiting and watching. mbj
Tax dollars or the federal government provide the funding for services.
Ancient Athens developed a Council of 500, chosen by lottery, to manage the day-to-day business of government.
In Guam, we have a government of 11,700 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Plans March report.
The Guam Department of Education has a mission statement on its website:
“To transform data into action to ensure equitable opportunities, accountable systems, and safe learning environments — supporting continuous improvement and student success across the Guam Department of Education.”
GDOE employs about 4,000 employees, though that number includes teachers and a variety of other staff. It has departments with clear goals for managing 38 schools. These include Finance & Administration: Manages agency budgets, fiscal accountability, and financial operations; Facility & Maintenance/Capital Improvement Projects: Oversees school repairs, upkeep, and physical plant updates; Federal Programs Division: Manages federal grants and federally funded educational initiatives.
GDOE recently let federal funds lapse, did not get all schools ready for the opening of the 2026 to 2027 school year, and has been unable for years to finalize the construction of a new Simon Sanchez high school in Yigo. Recently, after months of delay, the Guam Department of Public Works threw out the current Request for Proposal for construction of a new school and Tiyan High School still has maintenance issues.
GDOE has a board of directors, with Angel Sablan currently the chairman. The superintendent is Judith Won Pat, a former teacher and school administrator.
Alongside teachers, past, present and future students are now vocal through demonstrations of their own and attend board meetings. Who can blame them?
GDOE needs professional leadership within its crucial departments and at the board level, and simple plans that can be executed. We live in hope against all evidence to the contrary, but that leadership needs to be seen to be shown and quickly. Simon Sanchez and Tiyan High School students and families are waiting and watching. mbj
