The Guam Education Board shall be responsible for all policies that govern the Department of Education (Department). The Board shall have the authority to delegate such of its powers as it may deem appropriate, but shall retain the ultimate responsibility for the exercise of its powers. The Board, among other duties, shall perform the following in accordance with applicable law: (a) select and appoint a Superintendent and support him/her in the discharge of his/her duties; (b) receive, evaluate and act upon the recommendations and reports of the Superintendent; (c) adopt an annual budget and control expenditures accordingly; review periodic financial reports and modify the budget if and when necessary; (d) adopt student performance standards and assessment models;
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(e) ensure that the Superintendent addresses the proper administration of all mandated responsibilities; (f) adopt attendance areas and school boundaries (g) sue and/or defend itself in suits at law; (h) report routine complaints and concerns related to the Department’s operations directly to the Superintendent for appropriate investigation and response; (i) have no business or pecuniary interest which will conflict with the activities of the Board; (j) establish student discipline policy; (k) establish a school calendar; (l) establish graduation standards; (m) periodically review established policies for refinement and improvement; (n) serve as Guam’s State Education Policy/Governing Board for Federal programs where such a board is required by Federal law, to include, but not be limited to, the Head Start Program; (o) act as the approving authority on behalf of the Department for collective bargaining agreements; (p) make recommendations to I Maga’håga/Maga’låhen Guåhan or I Liheslaturan Guåhan for changes, additions or deletions to Guam Education Laws; (q) each newly elected or appointed Board member shall complete, during the first year of that member’s first term, a training program to be prepared and offered by the University of Guam and the Department, regarding the skills and knowledge necessary to serve as a local school board member. The training program shall include: (1) review of the Guam Code Annotated and other laws pertaining to DOE; (2) Robert’s Rules of Order; (3) the budgeting procedures and guidelines of the government of Guam and the Department; and (4) difference(s) between policy making and micromanagement of the affairs of the Department; and (r) the role of the Board, as with any legislative body, is to act collectively, not individually. Any Board member shall report to I Liheslaturan Guåhan any potential or alleged violation of this Subsection. The Board shall not: (1) interfere in or micro-manage the affairs of the Department, or schools within the Department; or (2) involve itself with student discipline cases, unless expressly authorized by public law, and only to the extent authorized by public law. (s) adopt a policy concerning the use of electronic security systems on school campuses, to include, but not limited to, emergency contact protocols. (t) to evaluate and make recommendations to promote early childhood development and literacy to parents and guardians of children from birth to eight years of age, in consultation with the Department of Public Health and Social Services.
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SOURCE: Added by P.L. 30-183:2 (Aug. 25, 2010). Amended by P.L. 31-019:1 (Apr. 18, 2011). Subsection (s) added by P.L. 32-009:4 (Apr. 11, 2013). Subsection (t) added by P.L. 38-049:23 (Aug. 18, 2025) effective within one year upon enactment pursuant to P.L. 38-049:29.