Frustrations are boiling over for the John F. Kennedy High School community over how Guam Department of Education leadership are handling the double-session arrangement with Simon Sanchez High School.  Stakeholders calling out the lack of a clear action plan for both school communities, while taking issue with a "divisive" letter from GDOE superintendent Dr. Kenneth Swanson.  

Frustrations were mounting during a Guam Education Board meeting as there are still no clear answers to how much longer Islanders and Sharks will remain in double-session. Instead, JFK parents and teachers got an open letter from Dr. Swanson that they say is divisive and misrepresents their school community as selfish.

Richard Borja announced, "Dr. Swanson, I’m deeply disappointed in the words that were used in this letter." He added, "This language is divisive. We are not at odds with Simon Sanchez."

Borja, the JFK Parent-Teacher-Student Association's president, said, "He said that he’s heard the concerns, frustrations and outright anger from some in the JFK community who are calling for immediate solutions. He goes on to say, and I quote, who want the Simon Sanchez students off this campus now no matter the cost. This is a complete misrepresentation of the sentiments of the school community of John F. Kennedy High School."

The JFK parent says the task is not to kick Simon Sanchez out, but to give each school communities what they deserve. The letter is insulting for JFK STEM teacher Colette Beausoliel, who has been advocating for her students’ education.

"More importantly, you are robbing these kids of their future," she said. "You talk about being in education, we’re talking about the kids. That’s why I am here, for all of them. I, too, was insulted and upset about the letter."

Stakeholders called out their inaction and lack of a clear, concise plan to decouple the two schools. It will be at least two years before calls to 'Rebuild Sanchez' are realized. 

In the meantime, the plan is for the Sharks to hold double-session at F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School once its refurbishment is complete. But GDOE officials admit there’s been delays, such as labor shortages and legal issues, that may push back the promised June timeline.

Swanson says Simon Sanchez should be sharing the Yigo campus before Christmas Break this year, but GEB member Dr. Judi Guthertz says they need a Plan B, saying, "I don’t have a comfortable feeling that this problem is going to be solved before the next school year."

She’s suggesting GDOE sacrifice their headquarters as a temporary home for the Sharks. "Every time I walk into this building, it is like a ghost town. I’d like this building to be turned over to Simon Sanchez High School as part of the solution."

Following KUAM's request for clarification, Dr. Swanson made a public apology.