5-day school furlough canceled Published Aug. 12, 2013 By Senior Airman Robert Hicks 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- More than 2,500 Department of Defense Education Activity students on Guam are no longer in jeopardy of missing five school days due to Department of Defense-imposed furloughs. The school furlough would have affected approximately 220 teachers from the four DoDEA schools and another 83 people in support staff positions on Guam. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel recently announced the reduction of furlough days from 11 to six. During this time, he granted a specific exception to the DoDEA teachers and instructional support faculty at the school level. In a message to DoDEA employees, Director Marilee Fitzgerald said "This is great news for our mission: educating children. However, I understand that the six-day furlough still presents significant challenges for our 11- and 12-month employees and families." School office staff, district office personnel as well as principals and assistant principals are still subject to six days of furlough. "The impact from the continuation of sequestration is still being determined," said Dr. Steven Bloom, DoDEA Guam District superintendent. "I can assure you that the DoDEA leadership team will continue to work tirelessly to ensure we meet our responsibility to provide a world-class education to our students. We will do this in the most efficient manner possible." The first day of school for students is Aug. 26 and teachers are scheduled to return Aug. 21. "The cancellation of the school-level furloughs should be viewed as evidence of the Department of Defenses' commitment to education," Bloom said. "We will continue to be vigilant with our resources and keep our eye on maintaining quality education as our primary consideration."