#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 Revised I 
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 
9:00 AM 
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, Capitol Building, St. Thomas 
 
The Committee will receive testimony regarding plans for summer repair and 
maintenance in public schools, as well as consider and vet proposed committee 
legislation.   
 
I. 
Call to Order  
 
II. Roll Call  
 
III. Opening Remarks  
 
IV. Reading of the agenda 
 
V. Block I – Plans for summer repair and maintenance in public schools 
 
Invited Testifier(s): 
 
• Craig Benjamin, Executive Director 
Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance 
 
• Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson 
Virgin Islands Board of Education  
 
VI. Block II – Consider and vet proposed committee legislation 
 
Bill No. 36-0049 An Act establishing the Bureau of School Security 
within the Virgin Islands Department of Education  
Sponsor: Honorable Novelle E. Francis, Jr.  
 
Invited Testifier(s): 
 
• Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner 
• Irvin Mason, Director of School Security 
Virgin Islands Department of Education 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 06.06.2025 
 
• Kyza A. Callwood, PhD, Chairperson 
Virgin Islands Board of Education  
 
• Gleston E. McIntosh, Jr., Executive Director 
Virgin Islands Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.)  
 
• Honorable Mario Brooks, Commissioner 
Virgin Islands Police Department  
 
• Kevin Dowdy, School Monitor 
Virgin Islands Department of Education 
 
Bill No. 36-0064 An Act amending title 33 Virgin Islands Code, chapter 111, section 3100i 
aligning the disbursement and spending limitations of funds allotted to public schools from 
the Education Initiative Fund with the realities of academic planning, ensuring that funds are 
used to maximize student success 
Sponsor: Honorable Kurt Vialet 
 
Invited Testifier(s): 
 
• Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner 
Virgin Islands Department of Education 
 
• Julio Rhymer, Director 
Office of Management and Budget 
 
VII. Closing Remarks 
 
VIII. Adjournment 
 
 
Thank you for your attendance and valuable contributions to the hearing