#3022 Estate Golden Rock - Christiansted St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00820 
 Office: (340) 712-2256  | senatorkurtvialet@legvi.org 
 
36th Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands 
Committee on Education and Workforce Development 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agenda  
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 
10:00 AM 
Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix 
 
The Committee will consider proposed legislation as well as receive a status 
update from the University of the Virgin Islands. 
 
I. 
Call to Order  
 
II. Roll Call  
 
III. Opening Remarks  
 
IV. Reading of the agenda 
 
V. Block I – Status update from the University of the Virgin Islands 
Invited Testifier(s): 
 
• Dr. Safiya George, President 
University of the Virgin Islands 
 
VI. 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  
Proposed by: Milton E. Potter 
 
Invited Testifier(s): 
 
• Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D., Commissioner 
Virgin Islands Department of Education 
 
• Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson 
Virgin Islands Board of Education  
 
• Honorable Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner 
Department of Health    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MEMBERS 
 
 
Senator Kurt A. Vialet  
Chairman 
senatorkurtvialet@legvi.org 
(340) 712-2256 
 
 
 
Senator Avery L. Lewis 
Vice Chair 
senatoraverylewis@legvi.org 
(340) 774-0880 ext. 3512 
 
 
 
Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff 
ddegraff@legvi.org 
(340) 774-0880 ext. 3606 
 
 
 
Senator Kenneth L. Gittens 
senatorgittens@legvi.org 
(340) 773-2424 ext. 2243 
 
 
 
Senator Marise C. James 
mcjames@legvi.org 
(340) 773-2424 ext. 2303 
 
 
 
Senator Franklin D. Johnson 
senatorjohnson@legvi.org 
(340) 773-2424 ext. 2210 
 
 
 
Senator Carla Joseph 
senatorcarlajoseph@legvi.org 
(340) 774-0880 ext. 3515 
 
 
2 
CEWD Agenda 05.06.2026 
 
• 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, President 
American Federation of Teachers – St. Croix, Local 1826 
 
VII. Closing Remarks 
 
VIII. Adjournment 
 
 
Thank you for your attendance and valuable contributions to the hearing