Guam Education Deputy Superintendent Resigns Amid Political Pressure

Joann Camacho, the deputy superintendent of finance and administrative services for the Guam Department of Education (GDOE), has resigned from her position. Camacho cited "political pressure" and a lack of support from the education board and administration as the reasons for her departure.

In her resignation, Camacho described the GDOE board as "harmful" and accused them of "excessively controlling" the department, which she said hindered efforts to get the public school system's finances in order. She faced criticism from the board for delays in preparing GDOE's budget, but maintained the issues were due to a lack of key personnel and inadequate assistance for the new finance team.

Camacho stated that she believed there was pressure for GDOE Superintendent Erik Swanson to remove her after he received an unsatisfactory performance evaluation. She suspected this pressure was related to her husband's involvement in the 2022 election cycle. However, Swanson denied any political influence, asserting that Camacho's resignation was performance-related.

Why this matters: Camacho's resignation and allegations raise concerns about potential political interference in the management of Guam's public education system. The situation highlights the challenges faced by education officials in carrying out their duties effectively amidst alleged board overreach and politically-charged environments.

Expressing her concerns, Camacho said she believed Swanson was not given the autonomy to run GDOE effectively due to the education board's oversight. She also noted that the ongoing election year would likely put a significant focus on the superintendent. "The board is harmful," Camacho wrote in her resignation. "It is a board that excessively controls GDOE and hinders the efforts to get GDOE's finances in order."

Camacho's resignation comes amidst ongoing challenges within GDOE, including delays in budget preparation and concerns over the department's financial management. While Swanson has denied any political motivations behind Camacho's departure, her allegations underscore the complex dynamics and pressures faced by education leaders in Guam. As the situation unfolds, the impact on GDOE's operations and the public's confidence in the education system remains to be seen.

Key Takeaways

• Joann Camacho, GDOE deputy superintendent, resigned citing "political pressure".
• Camacho accused the GDOE board of being "harmful" and "excessively controlling".
• Camacho faced criticism for budget delays, but cited lack of personnel and assistance.
• Camacho suspected her husband's election involvement led to pressure to remove her.
• Resignation raises concerns about political interference in Guam's public education.