By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

MAJORITY Leader Ray Tenorio, R-Yigo, and Minority Leader Judy Won Pat, D-Malojloj, on Monday introduced a bipartisan bill that would reinstate the appropriation for the Guam Public School System’s management audit expenses, and set a deadline for the education agency to procure the services of an auditing firm.
The 2007 budget law appropriates $175,000 for GPSS to hire a firm that would audit the agency’s operations and make recommendations to address deficiencies in the areas of organizational structure and compliance with federal and local laws, among other things.
The appropriation expired on Jan. 31, but GPSS has not been able to solicit audit services.
Bill 45, which removes the expiration provision, also requires GPSS to issue a request for proposals both locally and nationally for a district-wide management audit within 60 days of the bill’s enactment into law.
“This issue is much too important to let die for lack of action or funding,” Tenorio said in introducing Bill 45.
“While we all know that there exist significant problems in the operations of GPSS, the findings and recommendations of a professional auditing firm experienced in auditing curriculum and school district operations will be a valuable tool for all of us to do our part in providing our students the education they need and deserve,” he added.