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Governor takes over GPSS Maintenance and CIP Division |
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Acting Superintendent asks for intervention to get schools open
June 24, 2008
GPSS Acting Superintendant Wilfred Aflague today admitted that the school system will not be able to prepare schools for the next school year and asked Governor Felix P. Camacho to take over the maintenance division of the school system and all procurement matters related to school repairs.
Governor Camacho concurred with Aflague's request, which was transmitted late this afternoon, and approved a "Certificate of Emergency for Procurement and Personnel Assignment" for GPSS. At Aflague's request, the Governor agreed to transfer facility, maintenance and CIP personnel to the Department of Public Works. He also approved emergency procurement to get the schools open in time for the new school year.
Immediately after approving the Certificate of Emergency, the Governor called DPW Director Larry Perez and instructed him to use all necessary resources to get schools ready for the new school year.
"The bottom line is that the school system has fallen apart. It has crumbled and imploded," Governor Camacho said. "The Lieutenant Governor and I have a responsibility to handle this operational issue, which has gotten out of hand. The Superintendent has declared a State of Emergency and we have responded."
In his request to the Governor, Aflague noted the high-turn over of critical management positions within GPSS, including Tuesday's resignation of the Acting Facilities Manager.
"Based on the progress rate of school repairs thus far I have little confidence that all citations issued by the AG's Task Force can be completed before the opening of the new school year scheduled for August 12, 2008," Aflague wrote to the Governor. "It appears that unless GPSS receives intervention from the Governor of Guam it will not be able to meet its mission come August 12, 2008."
The declaration from GPSS states "the Guam Public School System is in a state of emergency jeopardizing the health and safety of students."
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