More than $40 million in funding for the Department of Education under the American Rescue Plan Act are in jeopardy after DOE’s request to extend the deadline to complete approved projects was denied by USDOE.
Director of Education Maefau Dr. Mary Taufetee has not responded to KHJ News questions sent over a week ago and numerous calls to her office have not been answered.
Other ASG officials who have been involved in meetings to try and resolve the funding issue like Public Works and Procurement have referred all questions to the DOE Director.
A total of $42.2 million in school improvement projects are affected. The DOE Director was informed in a May 8 letter by Hayley Sanon, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education that the reason why the request to extend the deadline to March 28, 2026, was because ASDOE was unable to sufficiently explain how each project directly mitigates the effects of COVID on the students’ education. The federal official said, “I found the projects to be inconsistent with the department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion.”
ASDOE can appeal the decision.
Meetings have been held almost daily between DOE, Public Works, and Procurement concerning the funding dilemma.
Projects affected are multi-purpose buildings for Olomoana Elementary; Pavaiai Elementary; Tafuna High School; Alataua Elementary; Fitiuta Elementary; Laulii Elementary; Masefau Elementary; DOE Fuel Tank Station Renovation and Upgrade; new warehouse for the School Lunch Program; new administration building for DOE; design and construction management for DOE projects; Afonotele Elementary school building and cafeteria; JROTC classroom for Leone High School; and a JROTC Building for Tafuna High School.
Photo: USDOE official Hayley Sanon.
