GEB gives GDOE Superintendent Won Pat 3.26 rating in first performance review

The Guam Education Board gave Guam Department of Education Superintendent Judith Won Pat an overall performance rating of 3.2 out of 4 in her first six-month evaluation on Tuesday during a continuation of the regular board meeting, according to GDOE.

Six board members evaluated Won Pat’s performance, while board member Angel Sablan abstained. The evaluation was based on seven goals identified in GDOE’s strategic plan:

Leadership
Curriculum, instruction and assessment
Family and community engagement
Student behavior, discipline and safety
Facilities and maintenance
Finance and administrative services
Data and accountability framework

Board Chair Judith Guthertz said the evaluation found that Won Pat was meeting the criteria established by law and her contract with the board.

“The position she holds is one of the most complex and challenging in the Government of Guam and requires a great intellect, stamina and energy, accountability by GDOE leadership and a willingness to work with all stakeholders in furtherance of our learning mission for all GDOE students,” Guthertz said.

“Dr. Won Pat is meeting those expectations and the Board is working closely with her to ensure all initiatives and challenges that GDOE faces are regularly shared with the public,” she said.

The second phase of the evaluation will assess Won Pat’s performance during the remaining six months of her first year as superintendent.

Won Pat will submit a self-appraisal, along with supporting evidence and documentation of her performance, GDOE said.

The board aims to complete the superintendent’s evaluation by the end of December.

Past Criticism

In recent months, Won Pat has been heavily criticized by elected officials including Sen. Chris Barnett and GEB member Sablan, both who called for her resignation as a result of her handling of double sessions between four impacted school communities.

Sablan called for Won Pat's resignation at stakeholder meeting at Okkodo High School on Sept 21. On Tuesday, he was allowed time to address the incident before the board agenda began to "set the record straight."

"Yes, I became loud. At one point, I even yelled and what I said at that meeting I will not take back," Sablan said. "What I would apologize for is the manner I delivered my remarks and my concern. I was loud, I was yelling, but I was passionate. In that passion, there was nothing in me that felt I was trying to threaten anybody, bully anybody, or molest anybody."

Following the Sept. 21 incident, GDOE on behalf of Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Rizalina Liwag filed a civil lawsuit against Sablan.

Past Criticism

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