By Frank Ishizaki
For Variety

This is my 4th Talking Ain’t Doing column concerning consolidation of government services. I hope to increase general awareness concerning governmental reorganization in order to make GovGuam more effective and efficient. While I am not sure that every idea will work, I am positive that we must improve services, maximize resources, and reduce costs. We must bravely move forward to improve our government for long-term self sufficiency and economic stability.
What if we create an Office of Licensure, Certification, and Credentialing, or OLCC, as a new entity to handle the certification needs of teachers, accountants, doctors, nurses, engineers, architects, surveyors, peace officers, and other professionals?
Let me discuss the possibilities in order to stimulate discussion. Recently, I introduced Bill 99 on behalf of the governor and held public hearings concerning certification of teachers, counselors, and other education professionals. Additionally, the governor signed my “Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission” bill into law (Public Law 29-12) to establish the certification of law enforcement professionals. I believe these set forth a consolidation opportunity for the OLCC.
The Guam Public School System currently handles certification of teachers and other education professionals. Because GPSS is the employer, I believe it is inappropriate for them to certify applicants and recertify employees since potential conflicts exist. Additionally, GPSS does not serve the certification needs of private and federal teachers who are afforded certification service only when time permits.
Was there a time or two when the certification process was subjected to criminal or unethical handling? Yes. Unfortunately, illegal or improper activities have occurred; however, a more fundamental concern comes to mind. Because of the issue of fairness and equitable treatment concerns, having an independent body to handle the certification process might be a good idea. Additionally, a recent action of the Guam Education Policy Board to lower teacher standards in order to allow less than qualified teachers to work seem contradictory to the mandate for certified teachers in our classrooms. This episode was clearly questionable and a good reason to take this function away from GPSS.
Should we eliminate all boards and commissions which currently handle certification? No. I believe they must continue to approve applications, establish policies and procedures, and oversee their respective professional standards. What I propose is that we consolidate the licensure and certification activities under one office to handle the administrative processing such as publishing standards, accepting applications, verifying training and experience, conducting background investigations, testing and evaluations, issuing certificates, revoking certificates, and performing other related duties. The OLCC will support respective boards and commissions with administrative activities but not assume their ministerial responsibilities.
Is there a downside to a centralized OLCC? No. Other than the basic fear of change, I do not believe that there is a downside. Like any change, we should anticipate growing pains; however, an OLCC will be quite manageable and will improve the licensure, certification, and credentialing process.
Under a consolidated OLCC, we can eliminate redundancy, centralize functions, provide customer convenience, and cut costs. All licensure and certification boards and commissions will better serve their respective professions. Because we have so many licensure boards and commissions, the OLCC will be the best mechanism to establish a standardized process under one roof.
I believe that we can better serve our people and save money. Just think about all the rent, administrative costs, and other overhead expenses we can save. Under one office, we can better manage our resources to maximize effectiveness and efficiency. Do you think it will work? I welcome your thoughts.

Frank Ishizaki is a senator with the 29th Guam Legislature and the former Chief of Police. He can be contacted through his Web site frankishizaki.com.