Committee on Education and Workforce Development

The Committee will assess education policies, review compliance with statutory mandates, and consider proposed legislation designed to enhance educational outcomes and strengthen the Territory’s public education system.

BLOCK I

Electronic Device Policy and the impact of cell phones on school campuses

Invited Testifiers:
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education

BLOCK II

Promotion and Retention Policy as it pertains to the new Virgin Islands and Caribbean History Curriculum Implementation mandate

Invited Testifiers:
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education

BLOCK III

Proposed Legislation

Bill No. 36-0188        An act amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 23, by adding a subchapter III establishing the Virgin Islands Technical College; amending title 3 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 7, subchapter I section 99 to increase the membership of the Board for Career and Technical Education; amending title 17 Virgin Islands Code chapter 23, subchapter I, section 262 to clarify the duties of the Board for Career and Technical Education relating to the Virgin Islands Technical College and section 263 relating to the Career-Technical Education Training Fund, and for other related purposes

Invited Testifiers:
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Monique Faulkner, Ed.D., State Director – Career Technical & Adult Education
Laverne Richardson, Project Director, Virgin Islands Technical College
Mario Francis, Principal, Raphael O. Wheatley Skills Center, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Christa-Ann Molloy, Ph.D., Principal, St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center, VI Department of Education
Sana Joseph Smith, Policy Advisor (Education, Workforce, Labor), Office of the Governor
Joanne Murphy, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Career & Technical Education Board
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Lora Bailey, PhD., Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, University of the Virgin Islands
Israel Popo, Student, St. Croix Central High School, St. Croix Career & Technical Education Center
Meridith M. Prince, Tradesman

BLOCK III

Electronic Device Policy and the impact of cell phones on school campuses

Invited Testifiers:
Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson, Virgin Islands Board of Education
Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education
Ace Poyah, Student, St. Croix Educational Complex High School

BLOCK IV

Update regarding repairs and maintenance in public schools

Invited Testifiers:
Craig Benjamini, Executive Director, Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance
Leontyne Jones, President, American Federation of Teachers, Local 1825
Tamieka Phillipus, American Federation of Teachers, Local 1826