Following discussions between education officials and the community on  the Guam Department of Education's maximization efforts, GDOE Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson has his recommendations for school decommissioning and consolidations for the Guam Education Board. 

Swanson recommended the following actions be taken for the school year 2025-2026.

“Number one–close Chief Brodie Elementary school and realign attendance areas to assign students to JM Guerrero, Tamuning, and Liguan Elementary as appropriate. Number two–close LBJ Elementary School and consolidate into Tamuning Elementary School,” said Swanson. 

As for communities in the southeast, Swanson said he’s not recommending school closures. Instead, he proposes consolidating class sizes and closing unused sections of facilities.

And for the southwest, Swanson added, “Consolidating Harry S. Truman Elementary with Marcial Sablan Elementary school–recalling there were two different options presented.”

Still, GEB Vice Chair Angel Sablan admitted the board isn’t in the position to vote on the matter just yet, at least not before another work session. 

Sablan proposed another work session before GEB’s next meeting to go over the various options before them.  

“I think we still need to come back to another meeting with them and yourself–to include the deputies that worked on this–so we can get what’s in their heart and what’s in their head,” said Sablan. 

GEB member Maria Gutierrez also pushed for more clarity on the reassignment of attendance areas with those potentially impacted. 

“We still have to let the stakeholders know where their kids are going,” said Gutierrez. 

The board ultimately agreed to table the vote until February or March. 

Worth noting, the board can also vote for the status quo. 

The GEB also voted for new leadership unanimously. Angel Sablan will serve as Board Chair, while Dr. Mary Okada will take the Vice-Chair position.