Many teachers and administrators shared their excitement and gratitude for receiving a 20% raise. GFT President Tim Fedenko, GFT Vice-President Sanjay Sharma, administrators in GDOE, GDOE Superintendent Jon Fernandez, the Human Resource division at GDOE, and some GEB members worked alongside each other to propose recommendations to the Department of Administration
News agencies on Guam interviewed several educators to commemorate the announcement.
- Guam PDN: Sharma: “I’m really thankful we don’t have to lose any more teachers”
- KUAM: GDOE teachers welcome news of pay hike
- Pacific News Center: GDOE’s Educator Pay Study Adjustment has been Approved
- Guam Daily Post: Raises for public school teachers, principals to take effect May 23
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio gave a special announcement regarding the Educator Pay Study.
This pay raise brings the average Guam educator salary near the 50-percentile of the national average and has received some criticism on how GDOE will pay for it. Both, Budget Director Lester Carlson and Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, reassured the public that they will commit to paying teachers and administrators. Senator Telena Nelson questioned, how will GDOE pay for it? Budget director says the administration will find a way to fund raises if GDOE can’t cover it. Furthermore, the Governor reassures funding sources for GDOE Educator Pay Plan.
Governor Lou Leon Guerrero promises GFT and the public that school aides and all other employees who fall under the General Pay Plan (GPP) will see a pay raise next to remain competitive with the rest of the nation.