Oceanview Middle School, in deplorable condition, cleaned by military volunteers

By Jacob Nakamura

news@kanditnews.com

Airmen from Andersen Air Force Base's 36th HCOS volunteered over the weekend to clean up Oceanview Middle School. Agat Mayor Kevin Susuico and some school officials joined in the effort.

The school, which appears in pictures to be in deplorable condition, is one of dozens waiting for repair or reconstruction.

"OMS is a school in need of major renovation," Department of Education superintendent Jon Fernandez said. "There is a condemned annex that has been fenced off for the last two decades and two deteriorating “temporary” buildings that have been there since the school was a high school and which require major repairs on an annual basis. Fortunately, the population of the school has been low enough to accommodate students in other parts of the campus. The funding to make the necessary renovations or repairs to OMS is significant and is not in our budget. Since 2018, GDOE’s budget has been cut by $30 million. We are lucky that Department of Interior has helped provide some assistance over the past several years but only enough to address canopy repairs at a number of schools, electrical upgrades and civic work. We continue to seek a source of dedicated funding for facility repairs."

Here are six photos and captions, compliments of AAFB personnel:

Tech. Sgt. Amanda Dorsey, 36th Healthcare Operations Squadron pharmacy flight chief, and Senior Master Sgt. Nana Afrifa, 36th Medical Support Squadron command chief, remove debris during a beautification event at Oceanview Middle School in Agat, Guam, Jan. 16, 2020. This community outreach event was organized through the Andersen Air Force Base Sister Village Sister Squadron program, in which squadron volunteers collaborate with Guam residents in events to strengthen their friendship and partnership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aubree Owens)

Tech. Sgt. Giovanni Sharon, 36th Healthcare Operations Squadron resource management office non-commissioned officer in charge, and Master Sgt. Steven Barnett, 36th HCOS resource management office flight chief, clear brush during a beautification event at Oceanview Middle School in Agat, Guam, Jan. 16, 2020. Fifteen members from the squadron spent four hours clearing debris and trash alongside school and Agat Mayor’s Office staff, preparing the campus for students to return. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aubree Owens)

The Honorable Kevin Susuico, Agat mayor, speaks with Tech. Sgt. Brittany Wallace, 36th Healthcare Operations Squadron pharmacy technician, during a beautification event at Oceanview Middle School in Agat, Guam, Jan. 16, 2020. This community outreach event was organized through the Andersen Air Force Base Sister Village Sister Squadron program, in which squadron volunteers collaborate with Guam residents in events to strengthen their friendship and partnership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aubree Owens)

Airmen from the 36th Healthcare Operations Squadron; the Honorable Kevin Susuico, Agat mayor, far right; and Oceanview Middle School staff take a group photo after a beautification event at Oceanview Middle School in Agat, Guam, Jan. 16, 2020. Fifteen members from the squadron spent four hours clearing debris and trash alongside school and Agat Mayor’s Office staff, preparing the campus for students to return. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aubree Owens)

Tech. Sgt. Giovanni Sharon, 36th Healthcare Operations Squadron resource management office non-commissioned officer in charge, sweeps debris during a beautification event at Oceanview Middle School in Agat, Guam, Jan. 16, 2020. This community outreach event was organized through the Andersen Air Force Base Sister Village Sister Squadron program, in which squadron volunteers collaborate with Guam residents in events to strengthen their friendship and partnership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aubree Owens)

Airmen from the 36th Healthcare Operations Squadron volunteer during a beautification event at Oceanview Middle School in Agat, Guam, Jan. 16, 2020. This community outreach event was organized through the Andersen Air Force Base Sister Village Sister Squadron program, in which squadron volunteers collaborate with Guam residents in events to strengthen their friendship and partnership. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Aubree Owens)