Could some headstart centers across the island’s public schools be facing closures? That may be the case as low enrollment in some service areas persist. Changes may be on the horizon for the Guam Department of Education’s program as officials work to address persistent low enrollment at certain schools.

The program’s policy council has approving a proposal to adjust service areas in response to these challenges. Headstart director Angelina Lape informing the Guam Education Board that maintaining the required enrollment percentage is crucial, as falling below the threshold risks corrective action, potential enrollment cuts, and federal funding reductions.

Lape and her team have been closely monitoring schools struggling with recruitment, particularly B.P. Carbullido and Harry S. Truman Elementary.  “We had an average of 12 students every month since the beginning of the school year at Carbullido, which is only 60% of total enrollment," she detailed. "At Truman, we’ve had an even lower percentage - the average has been seven per month, and we’re funded for 18 slots there.”

Despite outreach efforts, advertising, and transfer encouragement, enrollment numbers remain low. To address this, Lape proposing key changes: closing the afternoon session at Carbullido while opening a second classroom at Finegayan Elementary - an area with consistently high demand and a lengthy waitlist.

She explained,  “So, we’ve had for many, many years enough students to open a second center there. I’ve had preliminary discussions with the principal, and she has identified a classroom that is close to our playground and meets requirements.”

Further recommendations include closing the center at Truman Elementary while ensuring playground improvements continue, should Santa Rita’s student population grow. “In place of Truman, our recommendation is to open a second classroom at MU Lujan. MU Lujan has also been a village with an extensive waitlist for many years. They’ve had enough to have two classrooms," she said.

Additionally, with Chief Brodie Elementary’s upcoming closure, there’s a proposal to establish a second center at Juan M. Guerrero and a new center at Tamuning Elementary.  “If that is approved by the board, then what we will do is write the memo to procurement to authorize the transfer of the playground that is supposed to be installed at Chief Brodie, which will now be installed at Tamuning," she said.