Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has announced that Guam has been allotted nearly $2 million in Compact-Impact funds to be used for educational purposes by the Department of the Interior for fiscal year 2019.
These funds may be used to address concerns of various government agencies and members of the public about school safety on Guam. The administration has been seeking to address this issue through the School Safety Partnership, whose members have been meeting in a search for solutions.
Doug Domenech. Photo courtesy of U.S. DOI
“These funds will certainly assist us in defraying costs associated with the Compact of Free Association and I want to thank Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech for prioritizing our island’s needs,” said the governor.
The $1.9 million in Compact-Impact discretionary funding for FY 2019 can only be used for educational purposes and will be awarded after the Government of Guam submits a proposal detailing how it plans to use the allotted funds. The Office of the Governor intends to use the Compact-Impact funds to provide much-needed upgrades to the Guam Department of Education’s communications systems, as well as for other educational needs.
“Our dynamic and motivated School Safety Partnership team has been exchanging ideas since our launch on ways we can promote safety in our schools, said Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, "and this week, we turned to the community for input. The governor and I, along with other SSP members, began meeting with parents, students, teachers, and other stakeholders—those who are on the front lines of educating our children. We are going to take your ideas and suggestions as we develop strategies that will keep our students safe”
Tenorio added: “Yesterday, we also toured the Guam Department of Education headquarters and have assured Superintendent Jon Fernandez that our administration continues to make education and safety a priority for our island.”
The School Safety Partnership is comprised of the Office of the Governor, the Guam Department of Education, the Guam Police Department, the Department of Public Works, the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, and Guam Homeland Security, and is co-chaired by Tenorio and GDOE Superintendent Fernandez.