A delayed homecoming for the hawks of F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, as a 45-day pause on active refurbishment work at the Yigo campus takes effect this Friday.

Guam Department of Education Superintendent, Dr. Kenneth Swanson said, “Rather than at the end of the school year, the school being opened, if we can get the project restarted, we can look at mid-year, next school year in December for completion.”

It’s a critical move, as GDOE officials await word on their appeal to the U.S. Department of Education, hoping to unlock millions in American Rescue Plan funds vital not only to FBLG, but other major district-wide repairs.

As KUAM previously reported, GDOE’s liquidation period for approved ARP funds was pulled back in March, following notice from the U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

“In regards to FBLG, my team is looking at where we can find somewhere between 15-17 million dollars in our current local funds,” said Morgan Wade Paul Borja,  GDOE’S Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Administrative Services.

Paul explained GDOE still has $6.7 million remaining for the contractor to complete FBLG’s refurbishment, plus another $3.3 million for a change order, and millions more for furniture, collateral, and kitchen equipment for the Yigo school. 

He warns that without forward movement on contracts, the entire procurement process will miss its December deadline.

Things could get even more complex in June, when the school, vacant for nearly three years, will have to meet public health standards as a “new” applicant.

Deputy Superintendent of Educational Support and Community Learning, Dr. Barbara Adamos said, “They have to get zero demerits in order to get their sanitary permit. So, the refurbishment project does not cover 100% repairs in the school.”

Meantime, Adamos said they’re urging lawmakers to amend the current law that would require GDOE to meet that standard.