GEB's Angel Sablan comments on Tiyan-Sanchez merger plan

A proposed plan to merge Simon Sanchez High School and Tiyan High School is drawing sharp criticism — with one Guam Education Board member calling it a “disaster” and questioning how it was revealed before the board even saw it.

GEB member Angel Sablan says the first time he heard about the merger wasn’t in a boardroom — but during a legislative hearing.  “What I believe is it didn't start with the board yet...to that day we haven't seen any plans of the merger. We asked on our Feb 24 meeting directly to the superintendent what are the plans and the double session for JFK and Simon Sanchez? And she was like well we're still working on it, we're not ready to announce it we'll announce it at the end of March or early April," he said.

But just weeks later, Sablan says that timeline changed — without the board’s knowledge.

“And Sablan said it was when he was watching the legislative session and lo and behold they announced the merger of two schools and it's going to be called Tiyan Sharks," he said.

Sablan says if a decision had already been made, the board should have been informed first.  “If that is the case… at least show us something if you have made this decision," he said.

During a recent board meeting, sablan pressed superintendent Dr. Judi Won Pat on why lawmakers were told before the board. Sablan said, “Why did that happen? And she said well we were under oath… and we couldnt lie. Well you could of told the legislature we are still working on it and youre not ready to announce it and that wouldnt have been a lie especially since you havent told the board.”

While Sablan says everyone agrees double sessions need to end — he warns rushing a merger could create bigger problems.  “I just want to make sure that if it does that we do it the right way," he said.

The proposed merger could bring together more than 2,000 students — a move Sablan says requires careful planning. “Putting two schools together—2300 students—if you dont plan it out or take care of what needs to be done to get this population into one school it will be a disaster," he said.

Parents are already raising concerns — flooding Sablan with questions after the announcement.  “How did the board do this? Why did the board do this? How did the board come to this conclusion? I had to email parents and let them know it was not a board decision. We were not even advised or made aware," he said.

Sablan is also questioning whether students and school communities were ever consulted.  “Tiyan High School, Simon Sanchez High School, and John F. Kennedy High School—they all stand on their own as very successful high schools. And we can see it," he said.

Sablan says before any merger moves forward, transparency and proper planning must come first — with input from students, parents, and educators at the center of the decision.