Reyes: 'We want to take advantage of training'

Although the details are still in the works, Guam Public School System Superintendent Luis Reyes said he's interested in taking up an offer from the Guam Contractors Association Trades Academy to assist in additional training for the school system's maintenance personnel.
If GPSS accepts the offer, maintenance personnel will receive training in the upkeep of air conditioners, Reyes said, reducing the need to continuously repair or replace the units through contractors.
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"The whole purpose of being a maintenance person is to make sure you continue to maintain the units, clean the filters so they can continue to work well," Reyes said. "If you don't do that, they'll break." Even with the additional training, GPSS will continue to have repair contracts for air conditioners, Reyes said. GPSS has been plagued with air-conditioning repair problems, which has led to violations of the Every Child is Entitled to an Adequate Public Education Act, which requires classrooms be properly ventilated with an air temperature no greater than 78 degrees.
With some 60 maintenance personnel, there are just a handful of air-conditioning mechanics available for the 2,000 to 3,000 units in the 37 schools, Reyes said.
"Training is very important so they can continue to hone their skills. We want to take advantage of those types of training," he said. "And if they make their sweep and come across something's that's broken and they have that skill, they can definitely fix it right on the spot."
Reyes said the school system will continue to accept help from different agencies and the private sector while they are cash-strapped and short-handed. He could not say how much the department would realize in savings with employees having the additional training.
GPSS has recently begun a memorandum of understanding with the Office of the Attorney General and the Judiciary of Guam, using people who need to fulfill community service hours to assist with maintenance.
"The first batch of assistance that came from the courts (were at) Southern High as well as Truman Elementary School last Saturday," Reyes said. "Absolutely anyone willing to give us assistance, we're willing to accept it."

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