Committee on Education and Workforce Development

The Committee will consider proposed legislation as well as receive a status update from the Department of Education regarding redistricting of the Territory’s schools.

Call to Order

 Roll Call

 Opening Remarks

Reading of the agenda

Block I – Redistricting of Virgin Islands Schools and plans for summer maintenance

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Craig Benjamin, Executive Director, Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Leontyne Jones, President, American Federation of Teachers – St. Thomas/St. John, Local 1825
Tamieka Phillipus, American Federation of Teachers – St. Croix, Local 1826

Block II – Proposed Legislation

Bill No. 36-0133        An act amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 10, section 111(a)(1) providing mental health education and instruction

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Dr. Yassin Hall, Mental Health Advocate, Educator, and Motivational Speaker
Leontyne Jones, President, American Federation of Teachers – St. Thomas/St. John, Local 1825
Tamieka Phillipus, American Federation of Teachers – St. Croix, Local 1826

Bill No. 36-0207        An act amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 25, subchapter VI, by adding section 590d and title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 1, by adding section 24 requiring employers to grant parents or legal guardians of a child with a diagnosed disability, two hours per month of paid leave to attend the child’s medical appointments

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Gary Molloy, PhD, Commissioner, Department of Labor
Cindy L. Richardson, Director, Division of Personnel
Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner, Department of Health
Bryan Young, MD, FAAP, Partners 4 Kids