Committee on Education and Workforce Development

The Committee on Education and Workforce Development has scheduled a meeting for Monday, June 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix, Virgin Islands to consider the following:

BLOCK I

 The Committee will receive testimony from the Virgin Islands Department of Education on data and information received from all public school principals during the Year-End School Data Review Presentation for SY23-24; including but not limited to the following: enrollment statistics, academic performance data, financial overview, classroom configurations for SY24-25, technology resources, accomplishments linked to School technology resources, and challenges or obstacles encountered during the SY23-24.

 The Committee will also receive testimony from the Virgin Islands Board of Education on its assessment of the SY23-24 and its recommendations to improve the quality of education for the upcoming school year.

The St. Croix Public School Parent Coalition will present concerns that have been identified by public school students, parents/guardians, and staff including the following prioritized issues: teacher shortages, a lack of academic programming, equipment maintenance, bullying/behavior management, transparent communications, and internet connectivity.

 Invited Testifiers:

Honorable Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education

Dr. Kyza Callwood, Chairman, Virgin Islands Board of Education

Abdul Ali, Chairman, St. Croix Public School Parent Coalition

BLOCK II

The Committee will hear testimony for, against, or neither for or against the following legislation:

Bill No. 35-0240       An Act transferring the administration of the Government Insurance Fund from the Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Finance to the Commissioner of Virgin Islands Department of Labor and amending various sections of Title 24 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 11 to facilitate better recovery for injury or disease that arises out of and in the course of employment in the Virgin Islands under the Workers’ Compensation Administration, and to ensure that workers entitled to Workers’ Compensation benefits receive medical coverage, rehabilitation services, and disability compensation without undue delay by merging the benefits and payment components of the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program.

 Invited Testifiers:

Honorable Kevin McCurdy, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Finance

Honorable Gary Molloy, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Labor