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Guam Department of Education requests $307 million for FY2027 as lawmakers press on staffing, maintenance and procurement
Summary
The Guam Department of Education asked the Legislature for a $307,027,565 operating budget for fiscal 2027, while senators pressed officials about 116 teacher vacancies, $23.5 million in unfunded facility needs (including $12 million for ADA compliance), unspent federal funds, and procurement backlogs that risk delays in obligating $81 million by year-end.
Gwenison Halfade, the superintendent of education, told the Committee on Finance and Government Operations on May 6 that the Guam Department of Education (GDOE) is requesting $307,027,565 for fiscal 2027 to cover operations across 39 schools serving 23,121 students.
Halfade said personnel costs make up the largest share of the request—about 86.5%—driven largely by collective bargaining agreement (CBA) positions and previously implemented pay plans. "There are increases in salaries in 2021, '22, '23 and '24," she said, explaining those adjustments account for much of the higher personnel line.
The superintendent and board members listed unmet facility and compliance needs totaling $23,500,000 that were not included in the operating request: $12,000,000 for ADA compliance, $10,000,000 for deferred maintenance and capital improvements, and $1,500,000 for security enhancements. "These unmet needs present ongoing risk to safety, accessibility, and infrastructure integrity," Halfade said.
Senators questioned how the department could seek a roughly $41 million increase over the governor's…
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