Committee on Education and Workforce Development

BLOCK I

The Committee will receive testimony from the Virgin Islands Department of Labor, Virgin Islands State Workforce Development Board, Virgin Islands Career and Technical Education Board, Career Technical and Adult Education, UVI Cell, UVI RT Park Vista+, and My Brother’s Workshop regarding their organization’s role in the workforce development system in the Virgin Islands, specifically addressing workforce development programs and the services provided to help people find, prepare for, and maintain employment.

Invited Testifier:
Honorable Gary Molloy, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Labor
Michael Carty, Chairman, Virgin Islands State Workforce Development Board
Joane Murphy, Chairwoman, Virgin Islands Career & Technical Education Board
Dr. Monique Faulkner, State Director, Career Technical and Adult Education
Dr. Suzanne Darrow-Magras, Director, UVI Cell
Shanya Hanley, Program Coordinator Vista+, UVI RT Park
Jenny Hawkes, Executive Director, My Brother’s Workshop

BLOCK II

The Committee will receive testimony from the Virgin Islands Department of Education and the Board of Education regarding the following:

1. Status of school facilities; specifically repairs to St. Croix schools.
2. Status of the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance.
3. School schedules – abbreviated and hybrid.
4. Matters of concern to the Board of Education regarding the recent teacher and student protests.
5. Any other matters that the Board of Education would like to address

The Committee will also hear testimony from students on their high school experience, including but not limited to concerns, issues, and challenges they face in attending public high school.

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Dr. Kyza Callwood, Chairman, Virgin Islands Board of Education
St. Croix Central High School Student Council and other invited students
St. Croix Educational Complex High School Student Council and other invited students

BLOCK III

The Committee will receive testimony from United Steelworkers (USW) on the ongoing issues that they are experiencing with the Government of the Virgin Islands, specifically the Office of Collective Bargaining and the Commissioners of the various government agencies.

Invited Testifier:
Daniel Flippo, District 9 Director, United Steelworkers