The U.S. District Court of Guam has dismissed a federal lawsuit against the Guam Department of Education over elevator accessibility at Southern High School, ruling in favor of GDOE Superintendent Judith T. Won Pat.
Judge Ramona V. Manglona issued the decision June 3, granting GDOE's motion for summary judgment and denying the plaintiffs' motion in Case No. 1:25-cv-00017.
The lawsuit was originally filed in April 2025 by a Southern High School junior with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair, alleging GDOE violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act by failing to provide reasonable accommodations at the school.
A second plaintiff, identified as a Southern High School freshman who also uses a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, was later added to the case.
The court dismissed the junior's claims as moot, citing his May 2026 graduation from Southern High School, which ended his standing as a student entitled to meaningful educational access under federal disability law.
As for the freshman, the court found no evidence he was denied access to any specific class, service, or activity. The record showed all of his classes and club activities were located on the first floor of the campus.
GDOE said an elevator remained permitted, operational, and available throughout the 2025–2026 school year.
Superintendent Won Pat credited collaboration among GDOE's Office of Legal Counsel, Oceania Elevator Company, and school staff for the outcome.
