Office of Senator Vince Borja–Senator Vince Borja, Chairman of the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Public Broadcasting, and Vice Chair Senator Tina Muna Barnes are urging the Speaker of the 38th Guam Legislature to convene a emergency session immediately to address an ongoing funding crisis that could delay the opening of schools next year and impact public health inspections.
For months, GDOE and policymakers have been aware of the federal government’s shift in funding procedures, requiring prepayment for federally funded projects before reimbursement is considered. While efforts have been made to manage this challenge, the scale of the financial burden—amounting to millions of dollars—has reached a critical point where contractor payments are at risk, potentially stalling school refurbishments and preventing schools from meeting public health and safety requirements. Without immediate intervention, some schools may not be able to open on time for the next academic year.
“We cannot afford to wait—every day we delay puts school readiness at risk. If these projects aren’t completed on time, schools won’t meet public health and safety requirements, and that means students may not have classrooms to return to,” said Senator Vince Borja.
To prevent this crisis, Senators Borja and Muna Barnes are pushing for the immediate passage of legislation to establish the GDOE Federal Advances Revolving Fund, a $30 million emergency fund administered by the Department of Administration (DOA). This fund will front payments for federally reimbursable expenses, ensuring that construction and maintenance projects continue without delay so that schools are fully prepared and compliant with public health and safety standards before the start of the new school year.
“We must act now to protect our students’ education and their well-being. If these projects stall due to delayed payments, it won’t just be an inconvenience—it will be a full-blown crisis affecting thousands of students, teachers, and families. We must prevent that at all costs,” said Vice Chair Senator Tina Muna Barnes.
Senators Borja and Muna Barnes are calling on their colleagues in the 38th Guam Legislature to act swiftly and support this urgent measure to protect Guam’s students, teachers, and families.
