GDOE details plans to end double-session schedules next school year

Plans to put an end to double-session schedules for GDOE school communities are in the works, with education officials sharing those preliminary plans with lawmakers.  Here’s what to keep an eye out for next school year.

“They will be called the Tiyan Sharks, they will be one campus.” Could the plan to finally end the double-session schedule for the Simon Sanchez High School community next school year entail a move to Tiyan High School? Education officials discussing the possibility of that merger during Monday’s oversight hearing with lawmakers, noting that the  Tiyan campus’ original intent was to serve as a transition school. 

Jackie Quitugua, deputy superintendent for educational support and community learning, said, “So, what it’s looking at right now is our Simon Sanchez, with our Tiyan High School, working together. We will make sure that the personnel are addressed because we will be having close to 23,000, or 2300, sorry. So, you know, that is something that we need to be prepping.”

She also detailed plans to end F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School’s double-session — utilizing grade configurations.  “We are looking at possibly having some of our 6th graders continue at the current school where they’re at, so that’s Upi, D.L. Perez, and possibly, close to 100 of our students may be at Astumbo Middle School. The reason again is that Machanaonao is also saying that they do not have space, they have enough for the 5th grade from k-5, and then Finegayan is about 12 students. So, we’re roughly looking at about 86 of our students being at Astumbo," she explained.

So, where does that leave the need for the construction of FEMA-funded temporary classrooms and the temporary Simon Sanchez campus on Guam Housing Corporation property in Yigo? Acting GDOE superintendent Dr. Judi Won Pat says the project will now serve both the Sharks and the Hawks, with former oversight chair on education Senator Chris Barnett summing up those plans best.

The policymaker asked, “So, then we’re to take this as an interim solution, where Sanchez and Tiyan will merge, and if the temp campus is completed up at the Yigo site, then Sanchez will attend that campus until the new Simon Sanchez is completed?", to which Quitugua said, “Yes.”

Senator Barnett continud, “Now you’re saying what was supposed to be the temporary Sanchez class will be used to house some configuration of FB students while we await the completion of the repairs and renovations of FBLG?”, with Dr. Won Pat likewise replying with, “Yes.”

In the meantime, a final plan is underway as GDOE officials iron out a master schedule and transportation.