The Office of Public Accountability has begun reviewing Guam's public school facilities to determine whether the number and capacity of operating schools align with the student population served by the Guam Department of Education.
The review follows Superintendent Judith Won Pat's recent State of Public Education address, in which she reported declining enrollment from school year 2021-22 through 2025-26 and described the trend as “troubling.”
Elementary enrollment fell from 12,191 students in school year 2021-22 to 10,201 in 2025-26, a decrease of 1,990 students. Middle school enrollment declined from 6,262 to 5,110, a drop of 1,152 students. High school enrollment fell from 9,044 students in school year 2020-21 to 7,810 in 2025-26, a decrease of 1,234 students, according to figures cited by Won Pat.
The OPA's review will examine all operating GDOE school facilities, including each school's capacity and enrollment. It will also consider whether decommissioning, consolidation, repurposing or other alternatives may be necessary, according to an Oct. 30 release.
“As part of this engagement, OPA will examine relevant information and documentation concerning school facilities, enrollment, school budgets, deferred maintenance, and applicable laws, rules, regulations, and management directives. OPA will also conduct interviews and gather information to better understand the functions and operations of GDOE’s school facilities and student enrollment,” the office said.
The OPA will work with GDOE's Internal Audit Office on the analysis. The scope and objectives may be adjusted as additional information is obtained and evaluated, according to the release.
The goal is to provide a clearer understanding of how student enrollment relates to school building capacity and use.
The use of school consolidation and decommissioning to align facilities with enrollment and available resources has been an ongoing discussion at GDOE.
Under former Superintendent Kenneth Swanson, Chief Brodie Elementary School was decommissioned and Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School was closed at the end of school year 2024-25. The effort was intended to help the department operate within its budget, reduce costs and better align facilities with declining enrollment.
Discussions about additional school closures continued under Won Pat's administration but faced criticism. In June, the Guam Education Board halted the effort, citing concerns that included a lack of community engagement, cost-benefit analysis and enrollment projections.
The OPA said the "analysis comes amid ongoing public discussion about school enrollment and the utilization of existing school facilities. OPA’s work will examine the available information to help establish an informed basis for evaluating potential options and considerations for GDOE’s school facilities."
The office said any findings or recommendations resulting from the analysis will be shared upon completion.