Committee on Education and Workforce Development

The Committee on Education & Workforce Development Meeting to be held on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix, USVI.

BLOCK I

The Committee will receive a status update from the Virgin Islands Department of the Education and the Virgin Islands Board of Education on the following:

Information on summer enrichment programs and after-school programs.

Current status of school facilities and assessment of school readiness.

Latest data on teacher vacancies; recruitment efforts and unfilled positions on the overall education system. Data on student enrollment, information on assignment and reassignment of principals and any initiatives or programs aimed at enhancing school leadership and administration.

A detailed breakdown of federal grants and utilization of funds for their respective purposes or programs they support. Each school proposed plan to utilize the $250,000 in ARPA funds.

A comprehensive report on the availability, accessibility, and quality of Pre-K programs.

Major priorities of the Board of Education of the 2023-2023 school year.

Concerns or issues that should be brought to the attention of the Legislature.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Dr. Kyza A. Callwood, Chairman, Virgin Islands Board of Education

BLOCK II:

Bill No. 35-0082 – An Act amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 9, Subchapter I, section 91 to limit the expulsion and suspension of students in pre-kindergarten through third grade and amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11, by adding a section to make a course in mitigating behavioral issues and misconduct in the classroom for school-based professionals a requirement.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Honorable Justa E. Encarnacion, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Health