“These funds present a unique opportunity for our local government to repair schools and improve the quality of education for our students,” Bordallo said.
She said the U.S. Department of Education has notified Gov. Felix P. Camacho of the availability of funds earmarked for education reforms.
The state stabilization program, created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, seeks to advance essential education reforms to benefit students from early learning through post-secondary education.
“In total, Guam is eligible for more than $178 million in financial assistance through the recovery package and with this new funding has now been allocated $155 million since the bill was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 17,” according to a press release from Bordallos’ office.
Within the guidelines set forth for the program, Bordallo said, GovGuam may use the stabilization funds to renovate the JFK campus in Upper Tumon, which was shut down last year due to violations of health and safety standards.
The JFK facility is awaiting reconstruction as GovGuam scrounges for funds for the project, which is expected to cost $30 million.
Bordallo said the financial assistance from the stabilization fund comes on the condition that 81.8 percent of the funds are used for the support of public elementary, secondary, and higher education.
Those funds are to be used for such initiatives as increasing teacher quality and improving academic facilities.
The remaining 18.2 percent of funds are allocated for other government services including the establishment or implementation of a credible financial management system.
