Guam Community College asks for $23.84M in FY2027 as senators press on charters, nursing and crime-lab costs

Hagatna, Guam — Guam Community College asked the Legislature's Finance and Government Operations Committee on April 9 for a $23,842,581 fiscal year 2027 operating budget, while campus leaders described recent grants and program expansions and senators pressed for more detail on funding sustainability and outstanding obligations.

"Guam Community College continues to serve as a cornerstone for workforce development on our island," Carlo Leon Guerrero, chairman of GCC's Board of Trustees, told the committee, citing GCC's alignment with high-demand sectors including health care, construction trades, information technology, hospitality and public safety.

The request represents a 2% increase over FY2026, Dr. Virginia Tydingco, GCC's interim president, told senators. "We respectfully request a total fiscal year 2027 budget of $23,842,581," she said, adding that the general fund request shows a modest decrease driven largely by lower retirement contribution assumptions while the Manpower Development Fund (MDF) request rises to meet expanded workforce-training needs.

Why it matters: Committee members said GCC's programs — notably a recently completed Associate Degree in Nursing cohort and an allied-health/paramedic training effort in partnership with the Guam Fire Department and EMS — support Guam's workforce and public-safety capacity. Senators sought assurances that those programs are sustainable if MDF revenues tied to the military build-up decline.

Program highlights and grants GCC told the committee it secured a consolidated $1.6 million grant through an application to the U.S. Department of Education to expand secondary career and technical education, support WorkKeys assessments and broaden after-school and intersession programming. The college also reported completion of capital improvements including a backup generator for the administration building, renovations to culinary facilities and a Building 2000 solar installation that GCC says reduced energy costs by about $193,000 year over year.

Dr. Tydingco described the college's nursing milestone: an inaugural cohort of 20 students completed the Associate Degree in Nursing RN program, and four graduates obtained RN licensure within three months. The program has enrolled a second cohort of 20 students.

"This work is grounded in two decades of institutionalized fiscal discipline and strategic investment," Carlo Leon Guerrero said, pointing to clean audits and the college's stated stewardship record.

Questions from senators Chairman Senator Christopher M. Duenas and other members asked about several topics that senators said affect long-term program and budget stability: - WorkKeys and outreach to high schools: GCC confirmed it continues to administer WorkKeys in high schools as a tool for measuring student workforce readiness. - Manpower Development Fund: Senators asked how GCC would respond if MDF revenues decline as the military build-up levels off. GCC said MDF currently funds peace-officer and public-safety training cycles in partnership with the POST Commission and law-enforcement agencies; if MDF decreases, GCC would likely shift costs to the general fund or increase the general-fund request to sustain programs. - Charter-school interface: Senators raised per-student general-fund comparisons (committee comments cited approximately $7,200 per charter-school student versus $11,800–$13,600 per student in the Guam public-school general-fund figures) and urged GCC to join roundtables with K–12 and higher-education partners to align enrollment pathways and funding.

Crime lab, MOA and debt questions Senators pressed GCC to clarify financial and operational responsibilities for the DNA/crime-lab partnership involving GCC, the Guam Police Department (GPD) and the Judiciary of Guam. GCC told the committee it has provided feedback on a draft memorandum of agreement (MOA) to GPD and is awaiting GPD's response regarding cleaning, maintenance and ongoing responsibilities. Mary Okada, retired GCC president appearing in support, told the committee the original (older) crime-lab facility was funded and maintained by GPD, while the newer GCC-adjacent extension carries a long-term USDA loan; she said that loan remains an outstanding obligation.

Accounts receivable and audits Committee members asked GCC for a detailed accounts-receivable statement after referencing Ernst & Young audit figures that flagged $1.46 million as potentially uncollectible and $448,602 in other receivables. GCC agreed to provide the AR schedules and backup for prior-year debts owed by other government agencies.

Other items GCC said it is transitioning to the Ellucian Banner software-as-a-service system with a scheduled go-live date in May 2026. Senators also asked whether GCC carried American Rescue Plan (ARP)-funded positions onto its regular payroll; GCC said none remain on current budget except one position that was transitioned years earlier.

No vote taken The hearing was an oversight and informational budget presentation: Committee members did not vote on Bill 266-38 COR during the session. Chairman Senator Christopher M. Duenas said the committee will accept written testimony on the bill for seven calendar days and provided submission instructions before adjourning at 10:04 a.m.

What comes next GCC agreed to provide requested accounts-receivable schedules, any outstanding MOA feedback on the crime lab, and additional clarifications on program funding and sustainability as the committee continues its review of the governor's FY2027 budget request.