Legislature approves $280,000 for local textbooks and raises school maintenance set‑aside to $15 million

The Committee of the Whole adopted multiple amendments in Chapter 2 focused on education materials and facility maintenance.

Senator Borja moved an amendment to reappropriate $280,000 from GDOE operating funds to the University of Guam Press to complete the localized 4th‑ and 5th‑grade social studies books. He said the project began in prior cycles and that the funding will finish layout, illustrations and production; OFB confirmed the reappropriation approach had been used before and the motion passed without objection.

On school maintenance, senators approved an amendment to set aside $15 million for GDOE maintenance and repair — an increase from the $10 million typically reserved in prior budgets. The amendment’s sponsors said the increase will allow GDOE to advance FEMA‑eligible projects, pay local vendors up front and return reimbursements to the same maintenance account so funds can revolve back into repairs. “This amendment gives GDOE the flexibility to advance funds for eligible FEMA projects and any required local match so that work can begin immediately,” Senator Borja said. The amendment passed without objection.

Both actions were recorded and carried as committee amendments during the Chapter 2 amendment session; the committee then closed the chapter and moved on to Chapter 3 (health).