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THE VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND THE CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION BOARD SHARES FY 2022 BUDGET

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ST. THOMAS- Members of the Committee on Finance chaired by Senator Kurt A. Vialet, convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building and received testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2022 Executive Budget for the Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States. Invited testifiers are officials from the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), the Virgin Islands Board of Education (BOE), and the Career and Technical Education Board (CTEB).  

 The governor’s recommendation for the Virgin Islands Department of Education General Fund appropriation totals $184,438,881. In comparison to the FY 2021 budget of $164,570,211, the FY 2022 budget represents a 12% or $19,868,670 increase, according to VIDE Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal and Administrative Services Ava Penn. The FY 2022 budget breakdown is as follows: $105,856,941 or 58% for personnel services, $55,277,961 or 30% for fringe benefits, $12,868,795 or 7% for other services, $5,679,464 or 3% for utilities, $2,443,220 or 1% for supplies, and $2,312,500 or 1% for miscellaneous. Defending the budget, VIDE Commissioner Raquel Berry-Benjamin stated that the major goals for VIDE are to re-imagine the school system which entails planning and providing training for school personnel throughout the year and to fill all vacancies. To date, there are 153 funded vacancies. Out of that, 21 vacancies are for teachers, specifically 14 in the St. Thomas-St. John District and seven in the St. Croix District. Berry-Benjamin indicated that overall, VIDE has 2,188 employees, of which 185 are exempt positions and 2,003 are classified positions.  

 Regarding Federal Funds, an estimated $32,909,539 is anticipated for FY 2022. VIDE Director of Federal Grants Kemo Smith noted that the breakdown is as follows: $27,404,520 received from the United States Department of Education (USED) and $5,350,607.92 from the United States of Agriculture (USDA). Presently, VIDE oversees funding from USED totaling $300,330,233 for sixteen federal grants and $8,124,640.92 for thirteen USDA federal grants. Moreover, Berry-Benjamin added that VIDE received $19,992,337 from the Cares I Education Stabilization Fund and $53,234,881 from the Cares II Education Stabilization Fund.  

 The Career and Technical Education Board Chairman Dr. Michael Francois stated that the governor’s proposed General Fund lumpsum for the FY 2022 budget totals $635,616. The budget represents a 14% or $78,086 increase compared to the FY 2021 budget totaling $557,530. CTEB is not slated to receive Federal Funds. Francois mentioned that some of the goals for FY 2022 are to increase instructor certification by 30%, increase student graduation CTE certifications or licenses by 20%, and improve communications/marketing. Similarly, the Virgin Islands Board of Education Chairman Kyza Callwood indicated that the FY 2022 recommended General Fund lump sum totals $1,937,038. In comparison to FY 2021 budget totaling $1,636,400, this is an increase of 18.37% or $300,638. Thus far, BOE has collected a total of $505,125.13 in student loan repayments as of June 30th.   

Senators attending the meeting: Chairman Kurt A. Vialet, Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Janelle K. Sarauw, Franklin D. Johnson, Genevieve R. Whitaker, Samuel Carrión, Dwayne M. DeGraff, Kenneth L. Gittens, Carla J. Joseph, Javan E. James, Milton E. Potter, and Marvin A. Blyden.

 

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VIBE AND VIDOE READINESS FOR THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR

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St. Croix–The Committee on Education and Workforce Development, chaired by Senator Genevieve Whitaker, held a public hearing on Monday in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix, with the Board of Education (VIBE) and the V.I. Department of Education (VIDOE).

The purpose of the hearing with VIBE was to receive testimony on the School’s Management Accountability Report to include School Facility Conditions and Planned Improvements (School Maintenance) as it is related to the Virgin Islands Code.

With the VIDOE, the Committee wanted testimony on the implementation of the Government of the Virgin Islands Professional Services contract and the Skills for today’s workforce development award.

Kyza A. Callwood, Chairman, VIBE, said upon consultation with the Commissioner of Education, a pre-condition to reopening schools and the reinstatement of in-person instruction was conducted upon consultation with the Department of Labor (OSHA) and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources. The purpose of these inspections was to determine the environmental safety of the territories’ schools.

According to Callwood, in early February 2021, the Board’s School Plants and Facilities committee conducted several St. Croix district school walkthroughs and discussed its finding, issues, and concerns with VIDOE.

Callwood said that the Board issued a certification of the reopening of the following elementary schools: Pearl B. Larsen, Juanita Gardine, Lew Muckle, Alfredo Andrews, Eulalie R. Rivera, Ricardo Richards, Claude O. Markoe and Arthur A. Richards Junior High which is located at St. Croix Educational Complex.

In late February 2021, he added that the School Plants and Facilities (SPF) committee made a concerted effort to conduct school walkthroughs in the St. Thomas/St. John district. She pointed out that scheduling conflicts, the Committee visited Ulla Muller Elementary, Jane E. Tuitt Elementary, Lockhart Elementary, Joseph Sibilly Elementary, Yvonne Milliner-Bowsky, and Joseph Gomez Elementary. After subsequent discussions with the Department regarding their findings, issues, and concerns, a resolution number was issued.

Callwood said some of the Board’s concerns for curriculum and student instruction were: (1)Based upon the Principals’ reporting, the VIBE recommends more sustainable support for the Department’s maintenance division through line-item budgeting and identified ongoing financial sourcing,(2) Conduct a financial audit of the VIDOE for VIBE’s review in areas of maintenance and student achievement, (3) For reporting of the 2021-2022 school year, the Department must convene an interagency meeting for stakeholder input on the reopening plan which must be provided to VIBE by July 15, 2021, and (4) Incomplete curriculum framework, scope, and sequence for the following subject: VI History, Cultural Education, Physical Education, Agriculture, and Health.
Racquel Berry-Benjamin, Commissioner, VIDOE, said for the 2021-2022 school year, the Department will operate in-person, the GREEN Phase, of its reopening of the school plan. She pointed out that if a student, class, or school experiences COVID-19 symptoms, that specific student, class, or school would revert to 100-percent virtual (RED PHASE) or a hybrid, where applicable until the Department clears every one being of good health to in-person learning.

According to Berry-Benjamin, VIDOE has equipped its schools with the necessary technology to seamlessly move from in-person operations to virtual/hybrid processes when necessary. All students needing a laptop computer or MiFi internet device will be issued these items when school reopens.

The Commissioner pointed out that the Department will continue to serve breakfast and lunch for all students in the following manner: (1) Students in grades PreK-3 will receive covered breakfast and lunch in their classroom; (2) Students in grades 4-12 will receive covered breakfast and lunch at a designated area on campus in a grab-and-go format; (3) Cafeterias will remain closed to avoid large crowds congregating; and (4) Parents/guardians of students enrolled in the virtual pilot program may pick up meals at the school nearest to their homes.

She added that school bus transportation would operate as follows: (1) School bus transportation will resume across the Territory; (2) Students are required to wear a mask at all times while being transported on the school bus; (3) Under guidance from the Department of Health (VIDOH), students may sit two to a seat on school buses; (4) The VIDOH will conduct regular visits to bus stops to ensure regulations are followed; and (5) School bus drivers are required to wear masks.

The Commissioner added that the Arthur A. Richards K-8 school is a real-time example of the changes accruing. She said the current challenges with the modular units are evidence that they are still experiencing the impact of the 2017 hurricanes. The demolition of the original school campus and the Charlotte Amalie Annex in St. Thomas is evidence that work is being done to modernize and build schools in the Territory. At the same time, they continue to maintain and repair aged facilities.

Regarding the Arthur A. Richards school, the following will be implemented: (1) K-6th students will attend Eulalie Rivera Elementary K-8 School and Eulalie uniform is to be worn; (2)7th -8th-grade students will attend John H. Woodson Jr., High (Woodson school uniform is to be worn; and (3) Claude ). Markoe Elementary 6th graders promoted to 7th grade last school year will attend John H. Woodson Jr. High School.

Senators at Monday morning’s hearing were Chairwoman Genevieve R. Whitaker, Janelle K. Sarauw, Donna A. Frett-Gregory, Kurt A. Vialet, Kenneth L. Gittens, Milton E. Potter, and Carla J. Joseph.

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