Dear ,

Decommissioning Schools

In our close-knit educational community on Guam, we're facing a situation that's quite different from the rest of the United States. While many schools in the U.S. are having to let go of teachers due to budget cuts, our challenge on the island is a bit different. We're not losing teachers; instead, we're having to decommission some schools because there aren't as many students as there used to be. Our school system has insufficient amounts of educators historically, so decommissioning schools should not affect our overall

This isn't just happening here on Guam. All over the country, fewer students are enrolling in schools, which is a big change that affects how schools operate. On our island, this means we have to think carefully about which schools remain open and how we can best use our resources to ensure every student gets a good education.

As members of our union, it's a crucial time for us to stick together and support each other. We need to have important conversations about what these changes mean for us and come up with creative ways to deal with them. It's all about making sure that despite these tough decisions, our students still have access to quality education.

We also need to talk to everyone involved in education – from parents to the people who make the big decisions – to make sure they understand our perspective and value our expertise. We're all in this together, and by sharing our ideas and working as a team, we can make sure that education on Guam remains strong and effective, even during times of change.

Let's use this time to come together, share our thoughts, and plan for the future. By supporting each other and staying united, we can navigate these changes and keep our focus on providing the best education for our students. It's about making the best out of a tough situation and ensuring that our schools continue to be places where students can learn, grow, and succeed. Feel free to respond to this email so that we may include your thoughts as we continue to advocate for the betterment of our island.

Concerns

Seniority

We understand the importance of fair treatment regarding seniority. If the current Teachers' Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) doesn't adequately address your concerns about seniority, we're open to hearing your suggestions. It's vital that our policies reflect the needs and rights of all members.

Charter Schools

The potential use of decommissioned schools for charter schools raises concerns. We must ensure that any such transition does not undermine public education or our members' job security and working conditions.

Travel Time

Travel distances for the school community must be kept reasonable, especially in light of decommissioning schools. We are committed to advocating for logistical considerations to minimize the impact on our daily commutes.

Military Buildup

With the anticipated military buildup, we expect a population increase that could affect school enrollments. It's crucial to plan for this potential growth to ensure that our educational infrastructure can accommodate the needs of additional students.

Attrition

The impending retirements in our field underscore the urgent need for the University of Guam to ramp up its preparation of future educators and healthcare professionals. We will continue to push for enhanced programs to meet the growing demand for qualified teachers and nurses.

Reference Article for National Trends: Teacher Layoffs Are Coming as Pandemic Relief Money for Schools Dries Up

Support for Bill 6-37: Ending Discrimination in Employment for Use of Cannabis

GFT responds to Bill 6-37:

Dear Honorable Senators of the 37^th Guam Legislature,

This is to offer my support for the intent and reasoning behind bill 6-37. However, I have reservations about the current wording of the bill and would like to propose an improved version that better represents membership. To address the drug screening issues in the Territory of Guam, the union suggests the following revisions:

For the purpose of drug screening in the Territory of Guam, the presence of cannabis metabolites shall not be considered an illicit substance for the justification of a positive drug test result.

No Employer shall rely on the presence of cannabis metabolites in a drug screening result for any employment related decision affecting an existing employee or applicant.

The use of the word “Employer” in this act includes any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business, trust, legal representative, government entity or instrumentality, or any organized group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee, but shall not include the United States Government, or employers engaged in contracts with the federal government.

Thank you for considering the above recommendations. I am available to meet and discuss this matter in detail at your convenience.

In Unity,

TIMOTHY R. FEDENKO

President, Guam Federation of Teachers

Leave Sharing Request

Lorilyn S. Llamado, Support Staff at Capt H.B. Price ES

To donate, please contact thelma@gftunion.com or call (671)735-4390. Every contribution, no matter how small, counts. Your generosity in these times is a testament to the compassion and unity that defines us.

Let us remember that our union is at its strongest when we support each other. Today, it is Lorilyn who needs our help; tomorrow, it could be any one of us. Let's show the true power of our solidarity.