As families prepare for the new school year, concerns surrounding the Science is Fun and Awesome (SIFA) Charter School have prompted legislative inquiry into possible solutions for affected students. In a letter to Guam Academy Charter Schools Council Chairwoman Evangeline Cepeda, Senator Jesse Lujan raised the alarm over SIFA’s failure to secure a physical facility, potentially forcing students into remote-only learning after fielding calls from parents.
He said parents voiced frustration over the prospect of another year of virtual instruction, citing past challenges with remote learning and its impact on their children's academic progress. “These families are understandably anxious about the future of the school and their children’s educational continuity,” the Lujan states.
The senator asked the Council to weigh in on the possibility of allowing current SIFA students to transfer to other existing charter schools. The letter notes that some schools may have the ability to expand their enrollment or grade level offerings with modest adjustments to their charters. These options, the senator said, could provide much-needed stability to displaced students.
With the upcoming budget session approaching, the senator requested guidance on any legal or regulatory changes needed to support charter school expansion or flexibility. “I stand ready to support efforts to ensure that every child in Guam has uninterrupted access to quality education,” the senator concluded.