The Committee of the Whole reviewed FY2026 funding for the seven Guam charter academies and left their appropriations at the FY2025 level, Office of Finance and Budget Director Steven Guerrero said, noting that the FY25 supplemental was incorporated into the FY26 baseline.

The funding decision affects the same seven charter schools funded in FY25. "We basically gave them a status quo level to their FY '25 appropriation," Guerrero told the committee, adding that the FY25 supplemental was included in the FY26 line so the agencies’ new budgets incorporate that one‑time funding.

Committee members pressed OFB on whether student populations had changed and whether any schools had requested higher enrollment caps. Senator Joseph Augustine asked for confirmation that the appropriation assumed no enrollment increase; Guerrero and staff answered that the FY26 allocation preserves the FY25 enrollment assumptions. Senator Borja said the charter council had asked the Legislature to consider increases in student caps, but was advised there was no additional funding identified to accommodate such increases.

Senators also questioned how the appropriations are disbursed. Guerrero said the Department of Administration (DOA) releases charter appropriation funds based on monthly enrollment and verifies invoices; "DOA . . . releases their appropriation based on their enrollment," he said. Committee members noted DOA’s role in vetting invoices and releasing funds to charters, and asked whether unpaid vendor invoices would surface to the Legislature; OFB said invoice verification and disbursement processes are managed by DOA and DOE as appropriate.

Committee members discussed the charter council’s administrative funding. Guerrero said the appropriation is made by charter school and is appropriated in lump sum; the council determines internal allocations and the council has discretion to allocate funds for administrative costs. Senators noted earlier supplemental funding of roughly $88,000 had been provided in prior sessions to help the council with oversight duties.

Multiple senators said they remain supportive of charter schools but emphasized fiscal oversight. The committee recessed after completing questions on the charter school part of the budget.

Ending: The Committee kept the charter school appropriation at the FY25 level (with FY25 supplemental embedded in FY26 baseline) and did not adopt any enrollment cap increases during this session. Further oversight questions were directed to DOA and the charter schools council for follow‑up.