#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 7, 2025 
10:00 AM 
Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, Capital Building, St. Thomas 
 
 
The Committee will receive testimony on the status of special education 
programs in the territory’s public schools, to include local and federal funding, 
and participating service providers.   
 
I. 
Call to Order  
 
II. Roll Call  
 
III. Opening Remarks  
 
IV. Reading of the agenda 
 
V. Block I - Testimonies and Committee Discussions 
 
Invited Testifier(s): 
 
• Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Commissioner 
Virgin Islands Department of Education 
 
• Karen H. Brown, Ph.D.,MPH,CCC-SLP, Dean 
University of the Virgin Islands, School of Education 
 
• Dr. Suzanne Darrow-Magras, Director  
University of the Virgin Islands 
Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning 
 
• Honorable Gary Molloy, Commissioner 
Virgin Islands Department of Labor 
 
• Angus Drigo, Executive Director 
Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 03.05.2025 
 
VI. Block II - Testimonies and Committee Discussions 
 
Invited Testifier(s): 
 
• Jody Miller, EdD, BCBA, Director 
Coral Reef Academy 
 
• Krystal Wattley, Practice Manager 
Island Therapy Solutions 
 
• Mardly Smith, Owner 
Orange Tree Staffing  
 
• Julie Sommer, MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist & Director 
JS Therapies 
 
VII. Closing Remarks 
 
VIII. Adjournment 
 
 
Thank you for your attendance and valuable contributions to the hearing