Guam charter schools tell Legislature they will keep $7,800 per‑pupil funding and seek higher enrollment caps in FY2026 hearing

Guam charter school leaders asked the Legislature on April 28, 2025, to leave the per‑pupil appropriation at $7,800 while raising enrollment caps for fiscal year 2026, saying demand and waiting lists at several schools justify larger authorized rolls.

The request came during a budget hearing on Bill 44‑38 before the Committee on Finance and Government Operations. Evangeline Marie Cepeda, chair of the Guam Academy Charter School Council, told senators the council supports keeping the $7,800 per‑pupil figure but is asking for increases only in enrollment caps so more students can be served. "We will remain at $7,800 per pupil," Cepeda said, asking lawmakers to fund an FY2026 charter schools appropriation of $28,970,435 to cover a full year for two charters that opened midway through the current year.

Why it matters: the funding level and caps determine how many students charter schools can enroll and how schools plan facilities, staffing and student services. Several charter leaders said long waiting lists, demand from military families and the timing of federal grants have driven the request for expanded enrollment capacity.

Testimony and accountability

Cepeda opened the panel by recounting the charter sector’s growth since the first charter was authorized under Public Law 29‑140 (the Guam Academy Charter Schools Act of 2009) and said all seven charter schools currently meet accreditation and statutory requirements. She defended the sector on audit findings and compliance, saying the longest‑running charter has had "zero audit findings" in the last five years.

Helen Nishihara, representing iLearn Academy Charter School, described the school's recent fiscal…