VI UPDATE
U.S. Virgin Islands Public Records
TRANSCRIPT OF PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS
| Committee on Education and Workforce Development
Legislature USVI
July 15, 2022 · 4.8 hours · gov
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Music Music Music Music Thank you. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back.
We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Oh, oh, oh, oh. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. We'll be
right back. Thank you. Thank you. good morning good morning to everyone good morning to the people of the Virgin
Islands
0:00:00
and welcome to the Committee on Education and Workforce Development hearing. I just wanted to let the public know
that we will be starting shortly. Right now I'm looking for a quorum so we can begin this meeting, but we do have the
testifiers for Block 1 already present here in the chambers as well as those individuals online. As a matter of just
housekeeping, what I will ask and encourage which is I continue to encourage the public as we start this meeting. There
are documents for today's hearing that are available on the committee drive on the legislature's website, which is really
important for you to check out so you can follow along the agenda, various documents for today's hearing.
0:12:23
If you go to legvi.org and you go to committees, go to the Education Workforce Development Committee folder and
there you'll find the items for today's hearing. I won't be able to begin without a, and just for public information, you need
three members of your committee in order to start a meeting. I have received different notices of tardiness and excuse,
but what I want to emphasize is that it's important that we get started so that we can respect everyone's time and get this
very important agenda today. So the Committee on Education and Workforce Development will stand and recess for
approximately five minutes. I hope everyone will be ready, my colleagues will be in the wells, and we can get our
meeting started today. I want to thank everyone, my staff, the central staff of this institution, to also testifiers for their
time and commitment, and we're going to have a great day today.
0:13:06
I also at this time want to, yesterday was, and also we've had a series of persons who lost lives, yesterday was the funeral
of Glenn Webster, in my former capacity with election system as a deputy supervisor I knew Glenn was a very well
0:14:04
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board member and so my condolences to his family his friends entire circle and all those who've lost a loved one as even
today learning of others in situations that aren't violent current in our territory and that's why it is really so ever important
when we talk about education and everything and everything the importance of it let's do our best to prevent crime but
also in the case of health care ensure that we do better for our people the committee on education and Warfare
Development stands in recess for five minutes. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right
back. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. We'll be right back. [2 such phrases repeated 42 times · standby audio before the proceeding, transcribed by the
recogniser as speech]
0:23:43
Good morning and and we've come out of recess. Good morning for those of you just tuning in. Good morning to
everybody and welcome to the Committee on Education and Workforce Development. I want to go ahead and get started.
I want to just first off once again just thank understand good morning to also the same viewing audience. Thank
everyone. I want to thank the central staff, media security facilities so a management journal office legal counsel I report
everyone for their version of preparation for today's hearing and also once again thank the testifiers for their time of
participation for today's hearing on July is national disability so in this month we recognize a series of important
recognitions July is National Disability Independence Day with will we celebrating this month, National Support for
Public Education Day, National Parks and Recreation Month, National Minority Mental Health Awareness, International
Alopecia Month for Women, Sarcoma Awareness Month, Social Wellness Month, Juvenile Arthritis Awareness, National
Cleft and Cranial facial awareness and prevention month a time dedicated to health and wellness prevention and we
celebrate my office staff and I and team we celebrate this month and we really you know celebrate our health workers our
educator educators because it's both we have health and education matters this month to celebrate and we thank all those
in our communities for their notable achievements which are often underscored as we gather for today's hearing parents
in our community we are definitely at a juncture not just our parents but just a wider community administrators facilities
everyone involved in education
0:44:43
and the wider public have questions about the quality of our school's education and and concerns of course as we
approach and fast approach reopening of schools we still have safe on unsafe buildings of course many years of decaying
we're coming and and and there you know a lot of monies we've received but certainly I will put out that while we've
received a lot of funding by way of federal dollars for school reconstruction we are a ways away from the rebuilding of
our schools and there are more things slated to come And I will say that in my capacity as the chairwoman of the
Community Education and Workforce Development, I've tried and I'll continue to try to ensure that, and I believe so
much in strategic planning, I believe in also implementation of plans and that's why to this day and I continue to ask for
plans. Today's focus of today's hearing is specifically on, this is, we're gonna be hearing in Block one the school
accountability management report this report by law is compiled with the lead entity of the Virgin Islands Board of
Education in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Department of Education for those who are tuning in or who are
maybe new to what is occurring today with respect to this plan is that what we're doing today also occurred last year and
this is a annual plan that is due to the legislature which the Board of Education submits the due date is June 15th and
certainly the board did you know within relative time submit the report to the legislature which they did on July 1st
0:46:42
But the work began before the work of the board, the work of the department, certainly me as a senator engaging with a
committee on school readiness. It is an ongoing process. Another report not on the onus of the Board of Education is, in
fact, the dropout prevention plan that is to come from the Virgin Islands Department of Education. Because as we look at
the expenditure of the last, latest grant for public education and to support the social wellness of our children, curriculum,
and so forth, administration and the like, we have to actually have an actual plan. And to date, as we are now in July, the
former Commissioner of Education, McCarrie Berry-Benjamin, did not produce a draft to the committee or the
legislature of that plan. plan, and I've been asking for that plan for several months dating back to last year. But be that as
it may, the question is now, and I want to put out, that I am putting out that the acting commissioner, Victor Sohm, and I
have already had a series of internal meetings and we're going to move the department forward in collaboration with the
executive legislative branch the way it needs to move forward. As it relates to the education of our youth, it is my hope
today that the legislature, the executive branch, all the people of the territory can be more informed by the Board of
Education and the stakeholders in this particular plan, get some more information about some of the federal dollars that
can be spent as our students returned to school this year and this concerns are not just from the parents about what's
happening in the classroom it's also about the concerns
0:48:42
about the support for our teachers support they need to be able to run their class to manage a class that come by way of
certainly the resources they need to teach I continue to press upon the importance of professional development and the
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need to support our teachers also as I always encourage for I always encourage our listing of being honest to do you can
go ahead and you can turn to the documents for today's hearing so that you get the full information that you get the
agenda that you get the plan the report that the Board of Education submitted to the legislature and other committee
documents and I have shared a number of times now the what's known as the American Rescue Plan for the Department
of Education the $137 million plan that is going to that addresses the portion of the administration of our schools when
we say administration we're talking about curriculum and instruction In Block 1, we're going to again focus in on the
School Accountability Report, and that report is found in Title 17, Section 24.
So you can always go to the free search online and obtain that information. So I look forward to this hearing today, to
hear from our education administrators, our stakeholders who have come here to understand our Board of Education has
come here to testify. And as it relates to workforce development, it's my hope today that we can continue to prepare our
children for the workforce so that they have the skills necessary to succeed. There's also components of them succeeding
in the workplace, but also we have legislation on character education, we have legislation in many different areas to
support. But if it's only on paper and it's not acted upon, our children won't receive the benefit that they need to receive.
Secondly on today's agenda, block two is the legislation that I've offered to address the the teaching of Virgin Islands and
Caribbean history in our schools, the mandate for the teaching of Virgin Islands and Caribbean history from kindergarten
to 12th grade. And we, of course, even have our granny pre-Ks, so the focus would also be that includes our preschoolers.
It is a longstanding issue. Not only am I offering the legislation in order to address the longstanding issue of the teaching
of Virgin Islands Caribbean history statutorily, but I've also reconciled some, There's some confusion in the file, there's
some duplication. So that's also our role as legislators, working with the legal counsel and the code advisor to look at
when laws have to be amended so they can be what's known as congruent and we can avoid having to go to court. Of
course, the litigants are in court because it's not taking place. We are not, in fact, teaching our children Virgin Islands and
Caribbean history, and I know especially we're not teaching the Caribbean history from kindergarten to 12th grade.
0:52:19
Madam Clerk will now proceed with roll call. Roll call and on today's attendance. Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory.
Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory absent. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins. Senator Kenneth L. Gittins absent. Senator Carla J.
Joseph. Senator Carla J. Joseph present. Senator Milton E. Potter. Senator Milton E. Potter absent, Senator Janelle K.
Saro, Senator Janelle K. Saro absent, Senator Kurt A. Viala, Senator Kurt A. Viala absent, Senator Genevieve R.
Whitaker present, Senator Genevieve R. Whitaker present, Madam Chair you have two present, five absent.
0:54:22
Thank you Madam Clerk and do we have any correspondence regarding anybody's absence or tiredness? Yes Madam
Chair. please read those correspondence into the record letter from janelle k saru senator 34th legislature of the virgin
islands dated july 15 2022. dear chairwoman whitaker this letter serves to inform you that i will be tardy to the committee
on education and workforce development meeting scheduled for friday july 15 2022 in the fritz elouette's conference
room in st croix i apologize for any inconvenience and i look forward to participating in the discussion upon my arrival
thank you in advance for your understanding respectfully submitted janelle casaro senator letter from the honorable kurt
avla senator 34th legislature of the virgin islands dated july 15 2022. dear senator whitaker i will be late for today's
committee on education and workforce development meeting due to a previous engagement i apologize for any
inconvenience this may cause and i look forward to participating upon my arrival thank you for your kind consideration
in this matter respectfully kurt avla senator 34th legislature of the virgin island madam clerk we have senator potter who
has joined us please mark senator potter as president yes ma'am okay and Letter from the Honorable Kenneth L. Giddens,
Senator, 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, dated July 15, 2022. Dear Senator Whitaker, please excuse my late arrival
to the Committee on Education and Workforce Development hearing, scheduled for today, July 15, 2022.
0:55:15
I had a schedule in conflict, and I am attending to another matter. I will be in attendance as soon as possible. I note the
importance of the agenda's lit items to be discussed and ask that any additional information shared before my arrival that
is not in the committee drive be forwarded to my office. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Sincerely,
Kenneth L. Gittins, Senator 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands. Madam Chair, those are the correspondents. Thank
you. Thank you, Madam Clerk.
0:56:57
Okay, would you proceed with reading the agenda into the record? Agenda for the Committee on Education and
Workforce Development hearing for July 15, 2022. The Committee on Education and Workforce Development has
scheduled a hearing for Friday, July 15, 2022, at 10 o'clock a.m. in the Fritz-Elouette Conference Room on St. Croix.
Block 1. The Committee will receive testimony regarding the status of the 2022-2023 reopening of schools. specifically
the school accountability report addressing the safety health administration maintenance and overall operation of the
schools as outlined in the Virgin Islands code as follows title 17 section 24 school management accountability a the
Board of Education shall one in consultation with the Department of Education conduct a thorough annual assessment
and evaluation of all public school facilities school guidance division and school administration in the territory to a in
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consultation with the commissioner of education develop and adapt the standards and guidelines for conducting a
comprehensive annual inspection assessment and evaluation of all public facilities school administrations and school
guidance divisions in the territory and b in consultation with the department of health environmental division the
department of labor usha and the department of planning and natural resources make the decision via certification prior to
the commencing of every school year that all public schools inspected are environmentally safe three utilize the services
of the department of planning and natural resources Public Works, Health, Environmental Health Division, Occupational
Health and Safety, OSHA,
and the fire services to carry out the provisions of this section. Invited testifiers, Victor Sum III, Acting Commissioner,
Virgin Islands Department of Education, Dr. Kaiser Calwood, Chairman, Virgin Islands Board of Education, Pusta y
Encarnacion, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Health Jean Pierre L. Oriel, Commissioner, Virgin Islands
Department of Planning and Natural Resources Gary Malloy, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Labor Darrell
George, Director, Virgin Islands Fire Services Derek Gabrielle, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Public
Works Block 2, the committee will receive testimony on the following bill. Bill number 34-0238, an act amended Title
17, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 5, Section 41C, relating to the courses of study in public school to require that the
Virgin Islands and Caribbean history be taught specifically in kindergarten through 12th grade and for other purposes,
sponsored by Senator Genevieve R. Whitaker. Invited testifiers, Victor Sohm III, Acting Commissioner, Virgin Islands
Department of Education, and Dr. Kaiser Callwood, Chairman, Virgin Islands Board of Education. Madam Chair, that is
the agenda.
0:59:33
Thank you, Madam Clerk. Do we have any excuses for any of the testifiers in Block 1? If you can read those. Yes,
Madam Chair. Thank you. We can proceed to reading those into the record. Letter from Victor Sohm III, Acting
Commissioner of the Department of Education, dated July 11, 2022. Dear Senator Whitaker, I hope this correspondence
finds you in good spirits. Thank you for the invitation to testify at the Committee on Education and Workforce
Development on Friday, July 15, 2022. As I explained to you last week and your chief of staff today, I must attend to a
present medical issue on July 15, 2022, outside of the territory and will not be able to attend in person or virtually.
Additionally, key staff needed to participate in a hearing will also be out of the territory. Specifically, Dr. Renee
Charleswell, Deputy Commissioner of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Yone Wells-Hadrington, Chief Operations
Officer, Dr. Stefan B. Jergen, Insular Superintendent, St. Thomas-St. John District.
1:01:02
I sincerely apologize, as I fully intend to cooperate and work harmoniously with the first branch of government and the
Committee on Educational Workforce Development. i assure you that i understand the importance of the hearing but staff
needed to provide vital information will be unavailable at that time if necessary i will be willing to meet with you after
hours or even on a weekend saturday you may contact me at 340-201-6307 for further discussion Thank you.
Respectfully, Victor Som III, Acting Commissioner, Department of Education. Letter from Derek Gabrielle,
Commissioner, Department of Public Works, dated July 13, 2022. Dear Senator Whitaker, this correspondence serves to
acknowledge receipt of your invitation, dated July 7, 2022, to offer testimony at the Committee on Educational
Workforce Development Hearing on July 15, 2022. Due to a scheduled conflict, I will not be able to attend the hearing.
Please feel free to contact my office if you need further assistance.
1:02:15
Sincerely, Deborah Gabrielle, Commissioner, Department of Public Works. Letter from Gary Malloy, Commissioner,
Virgin Islands Department of Education, dated July 13, 2022. Dear Senator Whitaker, I am in receipt of your revised
invitation and updated agenda for the Committee on Education and Workforce Development meeting, scheduled to be
held on Friday, July 15, 2022, at 10 o'clock a.m. at the Fritz Elowes Conference Room on St. Croix. Unfortunately, I will
not be able to attend. As you may know, the Virgin Islands was recognized nationally for the success of our Jobs for
America graduates, JAG program. The Virgin Islands received the prestigious five out of five state award.
1:03:27
Several members of our JAG VI team and I are out of the territory. We are participating in the JAG national training
seminar that began on July 11th and ends July 15th. With great respect, based on this conflict, we are unable to attend this
hearing. I welcome the invitation at another time. Respectfully, Gary Malloy, Commissioner, Virgin Islands, Department
of Labor. Letter from Jean-Pierre L. Oriel, Department of Planning and Natural Resources, dated July 14, 2022. Dear
Senator Whitaker, my apologies for not being able to attend a hearing scheduled for July 15, 2022 to discuss the role of
the Department of Planning and Natural Resources in relation to school management accountability i have previously
scheduled meetings that present my attend that prevent my attendance at the hearing what i can provide at this time is that
dpnr pursuant to his role as outlined in 17 vic subsection 24a 2b is scheduled to participate in a school tour in the district
of saint croix on july 28th and july 21st to assess the readiness of schools for the opening of the 2022-2023 school year.
We are also awaiting confirmation of the date that the school tour will take place in the district of St. Thomas, St. John.
Members of my permits and environmental protection staff in both districts will assist in assessing compliance with
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health and safety regulations. Until the tour takes place, This is the extent to which we can speak to the readiness of the
school to open for the 2022-2023 school year. My apologies once again for being unable to attend the hearing on July 15,
2022. Sincerely, Jean-Pierre L. Oriel, Commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
Madam Chair, those are the excuse letters.
Thank you, Madam Clerk. At this time, I'm actually very excited to introduce my intern, Kian, Mr. John, so you can
come into the little north near me one. Kian John. Kian John is a recent graduate of the Career and Technical Education
Center as well as the St. Croix Educational Complex, and he's soon to be a freshman at the University of Houston in
downtown where Keon will study sports medicine as his backup plan for his desire to be a professional baseball baseball
baseball player as pursues that career if that does not formulate Keon was born and raised on the lovely island St. Croix
Virgin Islands and he's currently of course with my office serving as an intern and I and one of Keon's main goal is to get
a higher education and also work to pursue his professional baseball career and I I can already say that Kian is doing a
phenomenal job. He's already jumped into the constituent work and today's is here. So Kian, again, thank you for all
you're doing thus far and keep going. Proud of you and, okay, and. And for those who are just taking a quick picture of
Kian and to all the interns, for all the staff members and all the interns throughout government, just continue to do well.
so much you can learn as an intern and experience and you're and they all contribute to all of our offices in meaningful
ways so thank you Kian and to all the interns as well we're gonna now before we jump in on to today's hearing I want to
express for the public just for their awareness is how we got to today and an important date as well so we know that
school is set to reopen
1:06:24
um august 8th and the importance of today's hearing is to highlight and i think and i want to do this today because it's
really important it's it's very important that we do in fact do our best to have the information the individuals in block one
again the lead agencies is a Rajan's Board of Education, the lead agency·lead department·lead board, rather, responsible for
this report to be put together. But all the other agencies·and I'm going to go down and give you each one of them, but I want
to emphasize because the public and just for the public to understand the I'm gonna read the law into the record because I
think it's really important that we understand once again title 17 section 24 the Board of Education shall number one in
consultation with the Department of Education conduct a thorough annual assessment and evaluation of all public school
facilities school guidance division and school administration in the in the territory to a in consultation with the
Commission of Education develop and adopt the standards and guidelines for conducting a comprehensive annual
inspection assessment and evaluation of all public school facilities school administrations and school guidance divisions
in the territory and be in consultation with the Department of Health Environment Division the Department of Labor
OSHA and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources make the decision via certification prior to the
commencement commencing of every school year that all public schools inspected are environmentally safe. Three
utilize the
1:08:21
services of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources Public Works Health Environmental Health Division
Occupational Health and Safety OSHA and fire to carry out the provisions of this section these departments shall submit
a report as provided in subsection D of this section which shall include a identification of the major maintenance needs of
the school B the schedule of completing maintenance and see the cost estimates for major maintenance B the Board of
Education the Commissioner of Education shall develop a schedule and proposed timeline for addressing areas of
concern and identify through the inspection assessment and evaluation process see the border education based on the
assessments made under the provisions of this section shall make recommendations to the legislature and the governor
and seek secure funding for the timely and expeditious repair and maintenance of public schools in the territory D the
border education and consultation with the commissioner of education shall make recommendations to the legislature and
the governor through annual report of its findings and recommendations based on the inspections conducted under the
provision of this section no later than June 15 after the close of the school academic year. The report shall include the
findings of administrative deficiencies and recommendations for addressing the deficiencies, two findings of guidance
and counseling deficiencies and recommendations for addressing the deficiencies, and three identification of strength and
weaknesses of of each school to include achievement and standardized test scores and statistics for dropouts attendance
college entrance and vocation program entrance so that is once again title 17 section 24. the public works in particular
and i want to emphasize that that wasn't the first time
1:10:22
that I engaged Commissioner Derek Gabriel on Public Works role and responsibility with respect to the role of the of
Public Works in the plan it is important so even before promulgating the plan it was important for Public works to be part
of the process. Department of Health it's this the same because it's this we're going into this last year into as I addressed
the report last year's report going into this year as well was the relevant stakeholders they were addressed even as I within
the first week of office as I addressed them and then we had series of hearings and the like it is good now that we're
they're going to be that is the PNR is going to be engaged in the tour and of course now that the Department of Education
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is engaging them but we are just a few weeks away so in reality a lot of this should have taken place before the board was
compiling the report but we are where we are we can only move forward and learn from this but this would not be the
first time that I engaged public works Department of Health OSHA because even last year OSHA Ricky Dean Andrews
was before this committee for last year's report so it's just we do this as a routine but more than a routine we have to see
that the work is done the other issue and the issues we're facing is the certifications if you I read it but we can you know
again that's available on public drive the information that that type section 24 but they were required to provide
certifications we have to shift we have to move in a much more productive way in order for us to put together a good
report and then us as a body making those actions with respect to the report i commend the burgeon's board of education
because i've been tracking this report for quite the number of years before becoming a senator as well and the report
continues to evolve but the board in putting together the report is not the body that's going to execute it it's a
responsibility of the department of education
i will make note of just i'll make note madam clerk um we have an um a tardy letter from from Senate President Donna
Fred Gregory if you want to read that into the record. A letter from the Honorable Donna A. Fred Gregory, President,
34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, dated July 15, 2022. Dear Chairperson Whitaker, please accept this letter as a
formal notice of my late arrival to today's Committee on Education and Workforce Development meeting, which is
scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in the Fritz E. Luets Conference Room on St. Croix. Please have all circulated documents
placed on my desk for immediate review upon my arrival. Thank you for your consideration on this matter. Kind regards,
Donna A. Fred Gregory, President, 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands.
1:14:51
Thank you, Madam Clerk. We'll now proceed with today's hearing. Just to note, I just a special note that we have um at
least i want to know one of the testifiers has to leave at 12 o'clock um they did notify us ahead of time so we're going to
go ahead and proceed i want to first off um for those who are block one please turn on your cameras um those who are
our testifiers online. Thank you. Okay, I see everyone. Thank you and welcome for those who join us on via Teams.
Please raise your right hand that's those in the well as well please raise your right hand as I read pursuant to a rule 507b of
our rules and just you say I do after I repeat the statement do you solemnly affirm under penalty of perjury that a
testimony will give to this committee will be the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth to the best of your
knowledge and belief I didn't hear the folks on the line? Thank you. Yes. Thank you. Okay. Already our first testifier for
today's hearing is the Virgin Islands Board of Education and here we have in the well today Dr. Kaisa Callwood. We also
have Executive Director Dr. Stephanie Berry and the board on the committee chairperson of the committee that deals
with the facilities, Emmanuel Perez-Cassius. Thank you and welcome. You may proceed with your testimony, Dr.
Collwood. Good morning, Honorable Chairperson Genevieve Whitaker, members of the Committee on
1:15:43
Education and Workforce Development, other members of the 34th Legislature present, and the listening and viewing
audiences. I am Dr. Kaiser A. Collwood, Chairman of the 20th Virgin Islands Board of Education here on after the board
or VIBE. With me today, our board member Emanuela Perez Cassius, Chairperson of our School Plans and Facilities
Committee, and Dr. Stephanie Berry, our Executive Director. I provide the following testimony as it pertains to the VIBE
School Management and Accountability Report, SMAR, for the 2021-2022 school year. By way of background, the
Virgin islands board of education annually submits the smart to the virgin islands legislature in accordance with 17 virgin
islands code subsection 24 school management accountability the vibe created a 2021-2022 school year report to provide
all vi stakeholders with critical data about the infrastructure of virgin islands of the virgin islands public school system it
must be clear that the SMAR is not a report on the state of public education. Instead, it is an assessment based on the
available data concerning the territory's public schools and VIBE school plans and facilities committee's multiple
walkthroughs during the report period. As such, the scope of a report is limited to providing legislative recommendations
for evaluating all public school facilities, school guidance divisions, and school administration in the Territory. In lieu of
reading the entire SMAR report, which is attached to this testimony for ease of reference, I would highlight the VIBE's
findings, concerns, and recommendations for the three main areas required by stature.
1:17:41
Public School Facilities 17 Virgin Islands Code Subsection 24 allows VIBE to utilize the services of the Departments of
Planning and Natural Resources, Public Works, Health, Environmental Health Division, Occupational Health and Safety,
OSHA, and the Virgin Islands Fire Service to carry out the provisions of this section. The VIBE requested information
from these departments included but not limited to a identification of the significant maintenance needs of the school, b
the schedule for completing maintenance, and c the cost estimate for major maintenance in addition to information
gathered from spf committee walkthroughs during the report period reports were received from fire services arson and
fire prevention and department of health doh environmental health and the child care and regulatory services division the
review focus on facilities operation infection control and food and water safety detailed walkthrough inspection forms
and reports from St. Croix Fire Services and the Department of Health were included in the SMAR. The VIBE reviewed
the responses from the previously mentioned requests to all auxiliary agencies listed in the VI code for a comprehensive
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assessment and evaluation of all public schools. Tables 1 and 2 in the SMAR provide a high-level review from two of the
five auxiliary agencies which responded. The VIBE will continue to follow up with the respective reporting agencies to
receive a status on the noncompliance areas identified and the missing school. A. SPF walkthroughs. The chart included
in the SMAR identified areas of concern based on members' observations during the school walkthroughs. These areas
will be revisited during the upcoming walkthroughs and discussion with the VIBE.
The VIBE reviewed responses to previously mentioned requests to all auxiliary agencies listed in the VI code for a
comprehensive assessment and evaluation of all public schools. I think I read that already. B, arson and fire presentation.
The unit reported on items to include lack of exit signage, missing smoke detectors, expired fire extinguishers, occupancy
limits, leaking roofs, inoperable exhaust systems in the kitchen, leaking roofs and poor drainage system creating fall
hazards and inoperable panic bar systems. There were no reports provided from the St. Thomas St. John District and not
every school was reported on in the St. Croix District. C, environmental health child regulatory services.
1:21:30
The health inspection performed focus on the area of food service and formal complaints received from concerned
citizens. Numerous infractions were found including mold around coolers, drainage concerns, fencing and playground
equipment and disrepair, lack of outlet protectors, issues with pest control, access to toilets and sinks, and leaking roof.
Compliance orders were presented to the School Lunch Authority regarding related infractions. DOH conducted a
follow-up inspection and the School Lunch Authority received a full compliance confirmation. The DOH did not report
on every schools in the district. No other reporting agency compiled the VIBE's request in the St. Thomas, St. John, and
St. Croix districts.
1:22:17
The agencies included in the small legislation must evaluate school readiness and deficiencies and prioritize their
responsibilities to the public education system of the Virgin Islands. The reports submitted to the VIBE are systematically
and historically deficient and do not reflect a true and accurate assessment of our public school facilities within the
context of the jurisdictional authority. The VIBE's general concerns and recommendation. The time it takes to
communicate with VIBE to request and reply, including VIBE's follow-up and incomplete responses from VIDE, remains
a challenge. The VIBE's requests must be pro-terrorized, especially those related to health, safety, security, and
regulatory compliance. School principals and the VIBE's inability to monitor progress online tremendously affects
accountability in monitoring and evaluating progress with repairs at each school site. The VAI reported the
implementation of an online maintenance system which should be accessible to all school site administrators. It is
expected that this system will facilitate accurate responses to VAI's requests for information regarding maintenance of
school plants and facilities. There is no dedicated funding source or line item and budget for maintenance sustainability.
Unclear planning and agency expectations, hamper maintenance implementation, and project completion in both districts.
The maintenance budget shortfalls regularly affect school facility maintenance projects and VIDE facilities upkeep and
safety. The VIBE continues to support the establishment of the maintenance budget for each school in both districts. The
consolidation of sites to house large numbers of students, staff, and faculty in schools are inadequate to safely
accommodate large populations and impact modern, clean, and adequately equipped environments. There are no reports
that confirm that there was a testing of air and water for each school site as required annually to be formed by the
Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration, OSHA, and the Department of Plant and Natural
Resources, DPNR, poured the VI code. Therefore, environmental concerns remain unaddressed. Based on a review of the
updates on maintenance project provided by Divide, there was no clear explanation for the reprogramming of federal
funds once a project was deemed complete. Given the apparent backlog of projects without set completion dates, updated
information regarding federal fund expenditures pursuant to three Virgin Islands Code, subsection 96A5 for school plans
and facilities is needed on a consistent basis. There's no specific detailed rollout plan for the 2022 summer repairs for
reopening the new school year. There's no dedicated plan for the upkeep of school equipment, such as vehicles, air
conditioners, kitchen, and vocational equipment. An adequate number of maintaining staff in each district,
1:23:02
for instance, we have 32 in the St. Croix District, 26 in the St. Thomas St. John District. Example, inefficient number of
electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Specific location for maintenance, warehouse, and office space are needed in the
St. Thomas, St. John District. Lack of timely receipt of the impressed funding to school administrators results in site
disparities. There is a need for the establishment of an inter-agency school plan construction, maintenance, and capital
project reporting and tracking process to improve project completion accountability. Vast disparities in site upkeep
between the districts could be addressed by establishing reporting processes. The St. Croix Central High School and the
John H. Woodson Junior High School were reopened without VIBE certification in violation of 17 Virgin Islands Code
subsection 24A to B. In the absence of school principal reports, there can be no determination as to the school plant needs
and the impact of consolidating schools administration guidance counseling and maintenance there is no data presented
that delineates implementation and evaluation of strategies and programs facilitated through the guidance counseling
divisions which is the department purported to have been done throughout the school year to address matters such as
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social emotional mental health behavioral concerns academic transition resulting from the pandemic virtual learning and
school consolidation. Safety and security concerns. The VIDE Facilities Unit asserted that their approach has been to
conduct through assessments of these facilities and create a plan to address those critical needs that affect safety and
security issues. Safety issues are a significant concern particularly with the merger of school campuses in both districts.
The VIDE visited some school sites as recently as June 3, 2022, to identify the level of appropriation for campuses have
done to address such challenges as school fighting, active shooters on campus, student earthquakes, and fire drill. There
is no evidence of a clear plan to address the excessive school fights and school safety. The security challenges inherent in
the territory's open campuses are further exacerbated by downed fence lines, broken doors, and gates. Campuses still
have inadequate lighting and open perimeters that are not supervised but are easily accessible to outsiders during the
school day. The new Charlotte and Molly High School ANIC, for example, is easily accessible to outsiders, has
inadequate school security personnel, and is enclosed by glass without blinds or shutters. Other concerns identified in
campuses include school intercoms are either missing or nonexistent throughout the entire campus. Walkie-talkies are
available but not adequate to assist with large-scale incidents. School cameras are non-operational since 2020 hurricanes.
Inadequate number of school monitors, limited drill practices specifically for active shooter lockdowns and earthquakes,
the emergency response plan is not posted on campuses nor accessible to school populations. The Vibe looks forward to
receiving the requested update on the department school plans and facilities that includes updates on the most recent
inspection salary completed and the timeline for implementation and completion of projects identified through the
department's architectural and engineering consultants as high priority areas of concern.
Maintainer's priorities for the 2022-2023 school year, including the results of environmental and life and safety
inspections. Results from the safety and security tours, including the input provided by the Virgin Islands Fire Services,
VI Police Department, both districts rescue and emergency medical services unit. Previously requested school crisis
management plans utilized in the 2021-2022 school year, a requirement of VIBE school-based comprehensive emergency
response plan and drills. At all school crisis management plans updated after the June 2022 safety and security tours.
School Guidance Division. There is no doubt that the educational landscape has changed drastically, especially in the
Virgin Islands due to the global pandemic. The Vibe recognizes school guidance divisions are an essential part of
supporting each student's attainment of his or her full potential. Unfortunately, there is very little data and or evaluation
provided by the department on guidance division areas for all students. For example, efforts made during that report
period to direct academic growth and vocational maturity. Special education students. In absence of data, the VIBE is
unable to confirm the VID's assertions that they continue providing special education services to students during the
report period. This includes a report from the special education professionals they identify as being responsible for
executing tasks through various mediums that are linked to their caseload and based on each individual's child's
individualized educational plan, IEP. Socio-emotional wellness programs for students and staff. There was no
confirmation of the stated additional school counselor's training required to meet the current and updated, upcoming
salary needs of VIDE students. The St. Croix District has adopted a collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional
Learning, CASEL, framework, which lays out key district activities
1:29:49
for high-quality systematic implementation of social and emotional learning, SEL, which is integral to the education and
human development. The Sistema St. John District reported that its mental health wellness plan accomplished many of its
goals within its three-part strategy, current, immediate, and long-term. Additionally, while far-reaching and
well-articulated, VIBE has been unable to confirm the actual implementation of various school emotional learning, SEL,
and specific academic objectives for each grade level, i.e. self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills,
self-management, and responsible decision-making. The VIBE was unable to observe and or confirm the school year
2021-2022 implementation of these programs. Pass rate dropout. No data was available for the entire report period
regarding student pass fail rate. The VIBE was able to discuss in detail the reports provided by VIBE on the day of the
meeting. VIBE's reported pass fail rate in the first semester showed that seventh grade level had the lowest passing rate of
61.1%, and first grade level had the highest of 88.5%. Female students were reported a slightly higher pass rate, 78.8%,
than male students, 73.5%. No information was provided on the dropout rate for the reporting period to compare to the
data provided earlier this year regarding prior school years. Furthermore, the VIBE did not receive a response its request
for an analysis of these findings based on VIBE's evaluation of the data presented and any corrective measures
implemented or that will be implemented to decrease the dropout rate. The VIBE also requested information on possible
reasons for dropout rates above 3 be provided if available. School administration.
1:32:06
The ultimate goal of both the VIBE and VIBE is to deliver a quality educational experience for all students teachers and
administration principal reports details include school staffing guidance information including special education and early
childhood programming school site maintenance the status of regular and hazard drills confirmation of safe working
conditions and reported incidents these reports should be also include challenges or deficiencies and school improvement
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plans for the upcoming school year in september 2021 school administrators through the Commissioner were required to
submit principal reports to VIBE after the end of the first marking period. During the walkthrough, administrators
confirmed all reports were completed. Unfortunately, despite repeated requests for these reports, none were received
prior to the completion of the SMAR. High School Transformation Plan. As reported in the SMAR, the VIBE provided
VIBE with information on plans for major changes to take place in all four high schools in the upcoming school year.
The Board immediately provided its concerns, including the implementation of flexible schedule formats in the absence
of adequate staffing and giving short implementation turnaround time once the final plan is completed. Lack of data,
research, and or evaluation of one, the hybrid approach currently in place in SY 2021-2022 and how said data guides to
propose approach for the SY 2022-2023 include timeline for implementation. Promotion slash retention data, for
example, what are recurring themes associated with a nine grade retention rate of almost 50% and how is this data used to
guide a new plan, including support services? Alternative strategies the department has used to address root causes of low
performance as shown in the slide shared. Assessment platforms and tools utilized to support student success. The
maximum class enrollment versus decreasing student population, what realistic impact will this change have on
improving the school proficiency data represented in VIDE's presentation? The current process for evaluating, coaching,
slash mentoring, and when necessary, disciplining underperforming school personnel. Student retention is an indicator of
how well a school ensures academic success and promotion, slash graduation. Few details on the new program offerings
and how and when they will be implemented.
For example, virtual, in-person, grade levels, scheduling, impact on graduation, requirements, et cetera. The need to
review the reference principal master plans and or any documentation to support proposed changes to the current black
schedule, including documented feedback from principals, irrespective of whether they are in favor or opposed. The Vibe
needs to review a complete and detailed high school transformation plan to be implemented in the upcoming school year
with targeted strategies to address student achievement. For example, smarter balance assessments, more than 17 of
students have been performing below proficiency expectation in ELA and over 80% in MAT for years, and specific
measures being implemented address efficiency as revealed in the data they presented. VIVA, Virgin Islands Virtual
Academy. As reported in the SMART, the Virgin Islands Virtual Academy, VIVA, was represented by VIDE as a pilot
program to address theater shortages and to address the needs of students who may have had underlying conditions
preventing them from attending school in person. VIDE did not inform VIDE that VIVA would be a permanent online
school as part of the educational product. On June 7, 2022, the VIDE discuss VEBA with the VIDE's professional staff
and higher education committee, along with other members of the governing board. The overarching concern is that
VEBA will continue with many concerns left undressed by VIDE concerns.
1:36:48
The VIDE maintain this position, sorry, that VEBA is a program, not a school. However, VIDE has assigned VIVA its
own administrators, counselors, specialists, et cetera, which are key components with a standalone school environment.
As it pertains to the Smarter Balanced and iReady assessment, VIDE did not confirm that VIVA students were allowed to
go to their home school to test, and the data reports regarding student performance, including grades, attendance, and
standardized test results, This aggregated by grade level, school, and subject slash courses are available. Confirmation
from school-based principals that Viva vendor collaborated with them to build Viva students' schedules and disseminate
them to students. There has been no submission of the following important pieces of information on Viva. Principals and
school counselors, yeah, and reports for both districts. Information regarding students who regain access their home
school schedule upon completion of a semester in the VIVA program and before the end of the year. Divide VIVA
personnel's tool used to perform virtual observations, copies and results of students and parent opinion surveys,
evaluation of all VIVA students, submission of data that conforms compliance with existing curriculum and standards
utilized by school students attended prior to VIVA or submission of the actual curriculum and standards utilized by
VIVA vendor. The target date for upcoming summer projects to align Converse and PowerSchool. Explanation as to how
students enroll in VIVA will meet the physical education requirement for graduation. Submission of the complete plan
for elementary inclusion since the department indicated that VIVA would expand to include students in K through 12
grades. Clare plan for completion of VI history requirements by the 35 VIVA instructors recently conditionally certified
by the VIBE and for ensuring that all online teachers hired by proximity learning contractor are certified and teaching in
the area of certification. Recommendation for online learning.
1:38:25
While VIBE recognizes the value of online learning and embraces that VIBE efforts to provide options and address
teacher shortages, the board requires that VIBE provide critical information on such a major initiative that impacts
students' education. There must be frank conversations, genuine collaboration, monitoring and evaluation, and data
reports to ensure that our students are getting the best possible learning experiences. Expansion to involve all students
from kindergarten can present getting the best possible learning experiences. Expansion to involve all students from
kindergarten can present other challenges that should be given consideration. A thorough analysis of VIVA, its
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challenges and successes, as well as student and staff data, so that decision can be made for continuation and
improvements to VIVA. Both above all, there must be submission of a clear plan of continuation of VIVA in the
2022-2023 school year, including criteria for student acceptance in VIVA, local staffing, VIDE observations and
evaluation protocols, access to students' daily attendance and grades by home-based principals and other issues related to
how students will meet promotion and graduation requirements. 20th Virgin Islands Board of Education 2021-2022
recommendation for VIBE and the legislators. Funding. The VIBE recommends that the legislature provide funds
specifically to provide school sites and facilities greater security and safety measures in addition to much-needed
interagency online tracking database, school ground maintenance equipment and ongoing environmental monitoring of
air and water quality in all occupied school plants and facilities. Jurisdictional authority. The VIB requests authority
under the law to authorize the opening and closing of schools, including emergency shutdown or permanent site closures.
The VIB recommends amending 17 Virgin Islands Code, subsection 24 language, to one, require auxiliary agencies to
annually submit a report as provided in subsection D of this section, and two, establish a clear timeline and deadline for
submission of this report. For example, no later than 30 days following the start of the school year. We also recommend
all reports from said agencies be simultaneously submitted to VIBE and VIDE. The VIBE recommends including
language under Title 17 that mandates a commissioner of education to report on the state of education to VIBE two
weeks before the reopening of school to inform all education stakeholders. The VIBE recommends adding language to
Title 17 stating 60 days after receiving the SMAR,
the Legislature's Education and Workforce Development Committee shall hold a hearing to address concerns and
recommendations made by VIBE. Administration recommendation. The VIBE recommends divide to hire a person with
education and experience in project management, mechanical and electrical engineering, planning and logistics,
construction management, maintenance and facilities management to provide oversight for school plants and facilities
maintenance. It is the role of the VIBE to recommend to the legislature appropriation of funds for public schools public
schools and public education. The board has consistently supported requests to fund major repairs of schools. However,
data is needed to make informed decisions regarding these responsibilities. As such, the VIBE requests the governor to
support compliance with three Virgin Islands Codes of section 96A5 by directing the commissioner of education to
provide VIBE with quarterly status reports on the use of federal funds received and spent. Collaboration and
recommendation. The VIBE should be invited to participate in meetings with the VIBE regarding the use of federal funds
and receive timely reports from VIBE on such expenditures, including project status updates. Compliance with VIBE's
authority to recommend the establishment of public schools, 17 Virgin Islands Code, Subsection 21A, requires a vibe to
include in discussions that impact school plants and facilities, for example, school consolidations and new school
construction. In conclusion, all public school facilities
1:43:51
through the Virgin Islands are in various stages of disrepair. Given the age of our schools and the decades of inconsistent
maintenance practice, process and progress, the territory must realistically re-imagine its public school facilities. The
VIBE remains committed to working with the department in support of creating a safe and healthy learning environment
for our students, teachers, and support staff. The SMARL highlights the information collected through the 2021 school
year and reflects the dedicated work of the VIBE, specifically School Plans and Facilities Committee, chaired by
Emanuela Perez-Cassias, to conduct multiple and thorough site visits of the territory's public school. We hope that the
information provider will assist all lawmakers, the VI Department of Education, officials, and the Brian Roach
Administration in making informed evaluation of the territory's public school facilities, school guidance, and school
administration. We remain available to respond to your inquiries at the appropriate time. Thank you, Chairwoman
Whitaker.
1:45:40
Thank you Dr. Colwood and before I move to the next testifier what is um what I really appreciate and you guys hit it
spot on you um to this body we're going through the budgetary process we find get information that's necessary so that
we can make those those changes and I will also note that as the chairwoman I've sent numerous principles letters and
requests for work orders and so on um but I haven't received them myself either but we're going to continue move
forward. I think one day we're going to see as we continue to move forward as a people and let's get the right people in
the right positions. I will also emphasize too that I did on more than one occasion attempt through to revise Title 70,
Section 24, and much of what Dr. Kahlwood just testified to as the chairman of the Board of Education, he indicated that
in fact auxiliary entities should be mandated by law because despite the code requiring these as all is a azzlery agencies to
do so they're not doing that we now move on to our next testifier we have assistant commissioner um sims um she who's
in here in the commissioner husa and canastro instead thank you and welcome and you may proceed with your testimony
on behalf of the department of health yeah good morning honorable senator genevieve whitaker chair of commission
education and workforce development all other members of the 34th legislature of the virgin islands of the united states
and the listening and viewing audience i'm dr nicole cragwell sims acting commissioner while the honorable
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commissioner who's thinking is out of the territory i have with me today deputy commissioner hadia charles our legal
counsel marquise taylor jones
and Director Wanson Harris of the Environmental Health Division. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in the Virgin
Islands Department of Health's position regarding the status of the 2022-23 reopening of schools, specifically the school
accountability report addressing the safety, health administration, maintenance, and overall operations of the territory's
schools. The Division of Environmental Health conducts yearly inspections at the Department of Education's school
lunch program. These inspections ensure the safe consumption of food served to students, best practices to prevent
foodborne illnesses, and act as an intervention to outbreaks. While foodborne illness outbreaks are rare, unfortunately,
they can still occur.
1:48:45
In the United States, between 2009 and 2015, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of over
5,000 foodborne disease outbreaks, making thorough inspections of this magnitude essential. There are five major risk
factors related to food-borne illnesses and employees' behaviors and preparation practices to include improper holding
temperatures, inadequate cooking, contaminated equipment, food from unsafe sources, and poor personal hygiene. The
risk-based inspections conducted by the Environmental Health Division address control for risk factors and further
establish five key public health interventions to protect the student's health these interventions include demonstration of
knowledge employee health controls controlling hands as a vehicle to contamination time and temperature parameters for
controlling pathogens and advisory it is a shared responsibility of the department of health and the virgin alice
department of education to ensure that food provided to the students is safe and does not become a vehicle in a disease
outbreak or in a transmission of communicable disease the shared responsibility is extended to ensuring that student
expectations are met and that food is pure prepared in a clean environment and ethically presented inspections conducted
by staff must align with fda food code as written to ensure the cafeteria and feeding area is safe these protocols are
supervision presence demonstration of knowledge and duties employee health response to contamination events good
hygienic practices approved sources observation labels and packaging protection from contamination time temperature
control for safety foods consumer advisory highly sustainable populations food color add additives and toxic substances
conformance with approved procedures safe food and water food temperature control food identification utensils
equipment and venting and physical facilities further the department of health works collaboratively to protect the health
1:49:30
safety and wellness of the student population by offering immediate support to the department of education in
establishing safe and reliable guidelines and increasing our capacity to respond in the event of health crises the virginal
department of health maintains strong recommendations prior to the opening of schools these recommendations are based
on the department of education's internal assessment ensure the schools buildings and facilities are appropriately cleaned
and sanitized ensure all school restrooms are fully functional flushing water systems at every facility by running the
water for five minutes establish a plan to frequently clean all surfaces and rooms with allowable forms of different
effectants outline detailed plan for managing sick students employees or staff members educate staff teachers and faculty
and how to monitor symptoms and recognize when a student should be removed from class and sent to the school nurse
maintain a supply of hand sanitizers ppe or personal protective equipment and soap for emergency use and create and
post signage that reinforce and teach good hygiene measures though the risk of cover 19 from touches low high touch
surfaces within the school setting doors handles refrigerator handles desks chairs etc must be cleaned at least twice daily
surfaces in contact with all food to include dishes countertops utensils and tables must be washed rinsed and sanitized as
outlined in the virginal's department of health guidance the department division of environmental health will continue to
fulfill its regulatory responsibilities which include education and training of the staff at the vide or virginality department
of education to ensure safe food practices as always we would like to thank the virginal department of health staff and in
particular the staff at our environmental health division who continue
1:51:49
to work towards a healthy community in conclusion senator whitaker the department of health is committed to reducing
health risk increasing access to quality health care and enforcing health standards we're also very much willing and
looking forward to continued collaboration and communication with the members of the 34th legislature we thank you
for your support and continue our efforts in working collaboratively i welcome the opportunity to respond to any
questions you may have thank you assistant commissioner sims for your testimony and we will now you're also there
along with uh do you have any else anybody else who's going to be testifying along with you for department of health in
today's era i do have on the call with me yes senator i do have deputy commissioner hadia charles i have our legal counsel
miss marquise taylor jones and the director of environmental health mr wansan harris thank you we'll now move on to the
fire services as represented by assistant director antonio stevens for director on behalf of director daryl george you may
proceed assistant director stevens with your testimony good morning honorable chairwoman jenny buddhiker other
members of the committee at education and workforce development and the listening and viewing audience i am antonio
stephens the assistant director of the virgin enterprise service and medical services i appear before you today to provide
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testimony on the role of this service in the annual assessment and evaluation of the public schools facilities title 17
section 24 of the virginia's cold tasks the virginia's board of education with conducting yearly assessments and
evaluations of the schools with the assistance of several other agencies to include the fire service pursuant to this law
upon request by the board we conducted fires and life safety inspections
at the school's facilities and submitted reports with the findings these inspections were conducted in accordance with title
23 chapter 9 of the version as code which establishes the version the territory's fire prevention code and the national fire
protection agency codes adapted and adhered to by this service as it applies to schools within a territory prevention is the
key to eliminating the conditions that may contribute to the cause of any fire or loss of life apart from arson major causes
of school fires include improper handling and storage of flammable liquids overloaded electrical outlets and excessive
cumulative combustible materials during the fire safety inspection some of the concerns of the inspector are as follows
general housekeeping storage of all flammable materials timely servicing of extinguishers installation and upper upper
ability of emergency lights the condition of covering electrical equipment and wiring the occupancy load and exits in
areas of assembly such as auditoriums gymnasiums and multipurpose rooms and the visibility of signs indicating the load
and exits the frequency of fire drills the accessibility of emergency access points for fire department apparatus the proper
maintenance of means of egress stairways doors and other exits must be proper being proper working condition exit
doors must be easily open from the side of egresses for example only one locking or latching device is permitted in
1:56:08
any exit door lacking devices that require the use of a key tool or special knowledge to open from the eager side of the
door are strictly prohibited exit discharges areas of outside the area must be clear of debris accumulation accumulations
that could impede egress a comprehensive inspection of the school includes but is not limited to the following an
inspection of every room and building on the school campus including classrooms closets storage rooms hallways
stairwells evaluate elevators offices kitchens restrooms hvac units boiler rooms and electrical rooms i check of all out
buildings bleachers and the campus grounds including the review of maintenance records for fire hydrants fire
department connections a check of critical life safety systems such as fire alarms sprinkler systems and a review of their
test reports a review of the school fire logs and the school's emergency plan a check of all exits the means of egress to
ensure that they are clear and accessible and all emergency systems and devices are operational when possible these
inspections are conducted jointly with the school safety representative or an administrator a representative of the school is
immediately made aware of any deficiencies or fire code violations a written inspection report containing a plan of action
and schedule for corrections is sent to the school administrator and the department of education we at vi f ems take this
responsibility seriously assessing the territory school remains committed to assisting the version as far i mean the version
of the department of education keeping the learning environment safe senator i stand ready to answer any questions you
1:58:06
may have thank you thank you this is the director stevens we're going to now um before we proceed to run the questions
i'm just going to take a very brief two minute break and then we're going to proceed with our first round of questions the
committee on educational workforce development sands in recess for two minutes. Thank you. We'll be right back.
Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you.
2:00:19
Thank you. is now back on the record we're out of recess we're going to proceed oh if I want to just make a note hold on
we have to hold tight committee on education workforce development stands in recess for one minute good afternoon if
you're just also just tuning into today's hearing welcome again to the committee on education workforce development
we're back out of recess back on the record we're going to proceed and we're going to do seven minutes of questioning
and our first I um over there St. Thomas, Senator Carla Joseph. You may proceed with your questions.
2:06:10
Thank you so much Madam Chair and a pleasant good day to you and to our colleagues as well as the people of the
Virgin Islands and to the testifiers today. I want to just commend the testifiers who came today prepared to answer
questions and to make their presentation. I, for one, deeply appreciate that you made some time to be here with us and to
have a discussion and you found it important and critical to appear and to do your work as you are called to do by loss. I
really want to commend you for that. I would start out my questioning with the Board of Education.
2:08:00
First of all, again, I want to commend the Board of Education. I think you're doing an awesome job, a really stellar job in
keeping up with a lot of these assessments that you are charged with in our code to perform. And you see the seriousness
of providing this information to the legislature as you are mandated and required to do by law. And I also want to
commend the chair of the Committee on Facilities, Ms. Emanuela Perez Casillas, for doing a really good job on getting
these assessments done so that we could really see what is happening and something is written and articulated and
memorialized in print on your efforts to do this work.
2:08:47
Because it takes a lot of effort, I know, and to get all the persons and stakeholders at the table to perform and do their due
diligence and the work that is required. So let me just start off with the Board of Education. Mr. rather, Dr. Calwood, I
wanted to ask you, when were these assessments done? What time frame did you do the assessment to produce the actual
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2021-2022 school management accountability report?
Because it's really thorough. Go ahead. These assessments would have begun from last school year. School year usually
begins in September all the way up to May when it's out. Okay, so it's an ongoing process with you, and you have
conversations with all the stakeholders, correct? That's correct. So this is a report that we do every year, so we're getting
ready to prepare for the new one for this upcoming school year. Very well, very well. I noted that we you are missing
some reports from your partner agencies who are also mandated to provide reports who did not submit you any report
based on the report with criteria I believe the Department of Public Works we didn't get none from the department of
planning and natural resources and as well as osha and department of labor yes true department of labor osha and so it's
three three entities that you haven't gotten any type of reporting response and they did not fulfill their requirements to
provide and to to do their duties i also noted you mentioned and i'm on page four of your of your testimony you indicated
that there were no reports page 4b there were no reports provided for the saint thomas saint john district and not every
school was reported on in the saint croix district this is for the fire miss mr stephens what's happening with that how is it
you aren't reporting on every school which schools are missing uh fire prevention arson and fire
2:10:31
prevention reports dr carwood from the fired services i will have to look in the um our report to give you that information
if you give me a second yes because it wasn't clear in your report here and then i also noted dr sims i i don't mean to chop
up are you really i really want to tell you i really appreciate it but it's it's a little incomplete it's incomplete work i know
everybody is busy i know we have a lot on our shoulders and it's how we just manage our time so dr sims and this may go
to also the chairman of the board of education the board of education Which reports, it's stated here in C as well, on page
four, the Department of Health did not report on every school in the districts. And especially, let me let you know, Dr.
Sims, we had a major issue here in the St. Thomas, St. John districts, and I'm sure you're aware that there was an occasion
where we had teachers, paraprofessionals striking outside of the legislative building. This was a couple months back, and
they were talking specifically about the conditions of the cafeteria as well as the conditions of the school lunch program.
2:12:25
It's imperative. I know, I believe, Ms. Sims, you graduated from a local public high school. Dr. Sims? I did, yes.
Charlotte and Molly. Yes, and I'm sure it's painful to you to see all of these findings and where we are right now with the
state of education because you have some level of onus and you have a chicken hog pride in your schools and how you
were educated here in the Virgin Islands and you're staying here to provide the services that are needed to uplift our
people, your people. And so it's disheartening for me when I look at reports and I'm seeing incomplete, because I know
from Charlotte Amali High School, they didn't turn out any persons who are incomplete. And so sending in an incomplete
report. So tell us, Dr. Sims or Dr. Carwood, where are we with getting these reports completed? I could respond in terms
of your question regarding what reports weren't received from fire or the Department of Health. If when you're ready let
me know.
2:13:57
Kindly. Okay. Tell us. Run it down for us now. Dr. Carwood. You got your information. For fire service in the St. Croix
district we didn't receive any information. Turn. Go ahead. You want to proceed on the Chair's time. Madam Chair. Yes.
You want to proceed on the Chair's time. any information for Paul B. Laskin pre-K through eight, for Fire Lumuckle K
through six, Ricardo Richards K through six. We didn't receive one for Alfredo Andrews, John H. Woodson, Yulalie
Rivera, and then of course in St. Thomas, Lachlan Elementary School, Alaef Muller Elementary School, Joseph Gomez,
Charlotte and Molly High School, both the CBER Shelter, and Joseph Siboli.
2:15:13
For the environmental health, for innocent... Don't go too far, Dr. Carwood, wait for me. Wait for me. Now, you didn't
mention St. John at all. You received any for St. John? No. We didn't receive anything from fire for St. John either. No,
no. Okay, continue. For environmental health, we didn't receive information for Alfredo Andrews, John H. Woodson, and
St. Croix, I'm sorry, Yulia Rivera, and Claudio Marco.
2:16:00
Okay. Thank you. Madam Chair, I just want to wrap up because I think you equated seven minutes and i think it's two
less of time i'm hoping that we'll have a second round because i do have a significant amount of questions to ask the
board of education as well as fire and health because i i would like to follow up and ask them really when are they going
to do these inspection or is it going to be for this school year mr antonio stevens hi good uh good morning what a good
afternoon and and i i thank you for the question i'm i'm not here to um have any conflict with anyone uh but let me be
clear i'm looking at both reports for both districts uh in the sanctuary district uh the date that the the report was completed
was april 6 2022 it was sent to um miss emmanuel perez cassius um and the only school that was missing on that report
and it was an oversight by by us was the lumaca school um for the saint thomas and john district um it was sent to mr
carwood um i didn't list all the schools i i could go down the list to the schools that was that was done but these reports
madam madam chair i know my time has been called but this is vital information because it goes towards something that
mr callwood said about communication so so senator joseph and get this straightened out this house have to get in order
um i agree hold tight so what i what i want to emphasize it's um senator it's okay if you go beyond the time it's just if you
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look around the room and see who the number of senators are here we're going to be fine with you doing a file. If you just
want to wrap up so we can move on to Senator Potter,
then we can definitely circle back. But as you indicate, as we as committee members request additional documentation,
the schools and certification reports that have not been received, that's something that we're doing during this process.
And as you know, I request information following the hearings, also during the hearings, so we can also see if they would
be able to, between the board and the fire service, we'll be able to reconcile their files. and send to the committee that
document for which they're to validate that. But we need to move on to the next senator, but we can certainly circle back.
2:18:46
And you all of us, of course, welcome to ask your additional inquiries. Understood. So if they could complete their
thoughts and their assessment on your time, Madam Chair, that would be helpful. And because I have 10,000 questions to
ask, and I'm hoping to get answered at least one. Thank you so much, Madam Chair, for the time. And your question was
directed to Assistant Director Stephens as well, Dr. Calwood. And also Acting Commissioner Dr. Sims. Okay. And what
is the exact question in terms of the schools that have not been certified? So Assistant Stephens said that he has the list
that he provided to Mrs. Perez-Casias.
2:19:21
Assistant Director Stephens, you want to provide the list of students, sorry, list of certification reports for those schools.
What other schools? I think it needs to be on the record, Madam Chair, that what was submitted by FHIR, because it's
represented on the record here by the Board of Education, that they were lacking certain school reports and also help. I
think it would be beneficial for the record to be clear on that, Madam Chair.
2:20:11
That's why I'm asking that they respond on your time. Thank you. He's about to answer. Both of them will be answering.
Assistant Director Stephens and then Dr. Sims. So, again, Assistant Director Stephens here, was asked for our service.
Senator, there was only one school that was not submitted in the St. Croix District, and that was the Little Muckles
School. might have been an oversight or just not on the report but um and then in the st thomas st john district um the list
of schools the lockout elementary school the cancrine high school joseph gomez elementary school alamala elementary
school the um jane e toit elementary school the Beretta C. Bushelty Junior High School, the Joseph Sibley Elementary
School, the Joseph Sibley Monroe Annex, and the Yvonne Wysbowski Elementary School, Charlotte Merley High
School are the schools that were inspected by the Virgin Islands Passage.
2:20:43
I didn't hear you say Eudora Keane on in the St. Thomas District but we instead of this gap of time what I would just ask
to you Assistant Director Stevens if you can send to the committee you can certainly respond to my chief of staff and you
can get that that rectified and also part of today's official record dr sims if you want just a follow-up for regarding the
department of health submissions to the board of education sure dr nicole craigle sims acting commissioner department of
health uh so the environmental health division for the department of health's responsibility is to do food inspection and
for those schools that appear to be missing or no report submitted that is because they've indicated to us that they were
not providing food service so all schools were inspected from a covid crisis health crisis standpoint and the schools that
indicated that they were not doing food or handling food are the ones that were not inspected because all of our reports
dovetail the department of education's internal reports and my directors here as well if you have any detailed questions
relative to that director harris is also available to respond to those thank you senator joseph any other follow-up to that
then we'll move on to senator potter i'll wait madam chair i will wait um my next round because we have other senators
who are here as well thank you thank you senator joseph senator potter you may proceed for your questions And I also
want to recognize at this time, if I am seeing clearly, Senator President Donald Frank Gregory. Welcome. Good
afternoon. Senator Potter, you may proceed with your questions.
2:21:54
Thank you very much. Senator Saru is also present. Oh, my apologies. Madam Chair. Yes, thank you, Senator. Please
mark also Senator Saru as present. Madam Clerk. All right. Good afternoon, all. Good afternoon, Madam Chair, to the
people of the Virgin Islands, and a special good afternoon to our testifiers who are here with us today. To be honest, I am
really a little lost as to what question I'm going to ask the testifiers here today. I must confess, most of my questions
really were going to be directed towards the Department of Education, since we were dealing with the accountability
report that the Board of Education did, and they had a slew of recommendations and just a whole lot of unanswered
questions that I believe only the Department of Education will be in a position to answer. Not showing shade at the
commissioner, at the acting commissioner, because I understand that he is out on a medical, dealing with some medical
issues.
2:23:54
But it would have been nice for someone or a team of persons from the Department of Education to be present to attempt
to offer some explanations or some answers. We are on the eve of a new school year. And to be honest, and I want to ask
Dr. Callowell this question. from hearing and reading the report and reading the summary and the recommendations, if I
were grading the Department of Education with respect to our schools and the physical plant of our schools and the
readiness to accept our young people for the 2021, 2022 school year, the grade would not be a good one. So I would love
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to, it probably, I don't know, I think it would be a D at best.
And it is something that should concern all of us. And I am just a little unsure as to what questions to ask. But Dr.
Caldwell, I'm going to start with you. Since I know the Board of Education, the primary authors of the report, and you are
the one. you and the folks at VIBE who are on the ground assessing the conditions of our schools. And just right off the
bat, what jumps out to you as your biggest concern with respect to the condition of our schools and their readiness to
accept our students for the upcoming school year?
2:26:05
Well, what jumps out for us will be immediately the safety and security concerns of our campuses. IN ADDITION TO
MANY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE IN A
COMFORTABLE SETTING FOR A SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND A SAFE SPACE. IN TERMS OF, I
KNOW YOU MADE A COMMENT ABOUT THE STUFF THAT WAS IN THE REPORT, BUT OF COURSE,
ABSENCE OF INFORMATION RECEIVING FROM THE RESPECTIVE AGENCIES, HENCE WHY THE REPORT
WILL PAINT A PARTICULAR PICTURE. IF WE WERE ABLE TO GET ALL THE DOCUMENTATION AND PUT
IT TOGETHER, MAYBE A DIFFERENT PICTURE would have been painted. So I would say the absence of the
information, not getting from the agencies or on time or if they have it and it didn't come true directly to us, of course the
report is due at a certain time and we can't be just waiting. But however, in our wisdom, true, the executive director, I
know I harass her sometimes, but she's very good with following up and following through and reminding you very, very,
very good with that. That is excellent.
2:26:46
And I know, so really and truly, the question really is we've asked the Department of Education to provide feedback on
certain aspects of the report, but you have been unable to receive timely responses. So hearing that, maybe the conditions
of the school might be better than we might think. But the fact is that we haven't received the feedback. from the
Department of Education, so it just leaves more questions than answers.
2:27:49
I know that the Board of Education is statutorily required to develop a schedule and propose timelines for addressing the
concerns identified in the inspection and assessment and evaluation process. Has there been any timelines discussed with
the Department of Education regarding timelines for addressing concerns? I mean, has there been any sort of high-level
discussions with the Department of Education on anything relative to addressing some of our most pressing concerns?
2:28:27
good afternoon everyone dr. Stephanie Berry executive director for the Virgin Islands Board of Education senator in
reference to you your inquiry there has been repeated discussions verbally and in writing regarding the timelines for
inspections for updates we've had various meetings with the education Stakeholders including the Department of
Education. We even had a preliminary meeting with the Honorable Governor Albert Bryan, Jr relative to encouraging a
more collaborative environment our schedules We remain flexible as the governing board of the Virgin Islands The
department for the most part has been amenable to inspections However the follow-through and the follow-up with
specific guidelines or timelines for we're implementing, or when things don't go according to what was discussed,
providing a status, there has been some challenges in receiving that information during our follow-up inquiries.
2:29:07
Okay, thank you for that, Dr. Berry. I know one of the things that we, I mean, there's no secret, we've been seeing this in
the national news almost on a weekly basis, and there's been a string real high-profile mass shootings in our public
schools, resulting in large numbers of our young children dying or being injured. I know we haven't had, thank God,
knock on wood, any significant feedback of any sort of mass shooting or crisis on our school campuses, but because it
hasn't happen. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't prepare. Is there any discussion, and I know I think Dr. Calwood
mentioned the openness of our campus, are there any discussions particularly put out there regarding how do we address,
how do we safeguard our children from experiencing any of these major high-profile disasters on our school campus, and
I know the school campuses on St. Thomas tends to be a lot more open. Are there any discussions on addressing, you
know, how do we ensure, I don't know if we have cameras on the the campus. Are there any intentional dialogue and
discussions concerning the safety of our schools with respect to outsiders just gaining ready access from a school that
really doesn't have a perimeter fencing and the like? Is that a specific discussion that we've had?
2:30:17
And Dr. Carlwood, I'm asking you, and Dr. Berry, because you're the only ones here, with an education connection. Is
that something that we've had some discussions actively on? Safety and security of our school campuses have always
been a priority with the Virgin Islands Board of Education. For many years now, we've had a policy entitled
School-Based Comprehensive Emergency Responses Plan and Drills. And part of that requirement is that the department
provide us on an annual basis with a crisis management plan for each of our schools. We have in the past let's say 6 to 12
months reminded the agency, the department rather, of the need for us to continue to update based on the footprint of
each campus. More recently as a result of us being notified publicly about the tours that they had.
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We reached out to Acting Commissioner Victor Soem III to again remind them of their commitment through our policy
to provide us with the crisis management and also to give us the opportunity to look at the results of those school safety
and security tours. So the dialogue has been going on. Unfortunately as a result of the national media events that have
taken place, it's come home to roost that what the board has been asking for by policy over the years is now becoming a
reality and i appreciate the fact that the department is taking it seriously and we look forward to the opportunity to read
those updated crisis management reports for each school thank you for that i know i know it's easy to have things on
paper and sometimes having something on paper is just that it's on paper but my concern and my hope is that we have
you know some specific and some specific action plans actionable items that can realistically be implemented it. I'm
looking at page six of your testimony, Dr. Calwood, socio-emotional wellness programs for students and staff. There was
no confirmation of the stated additional school counselors training required to meet the current and upcoming needs of
Virgin Islands Department of Education um, students. Um, can you elaborate a little bit on, on that?
2:33:06
Senator Potter, uh, uh, please, through the chair, excuse Dr. Callwood, who has to leave at this time. So I will answer
your question. Um, with regards to the SEL, social emotional learning, uh, there have been plans, uh, put in place and
discussed at length with us. However, However, we have not been able to observe those plans take effect. With regards to
the counselor training, it was reported by the department that in school year 2020, I believe, that there was an initial
training for the school counselors and that was just supposed to be the first part. However, during the report period, which
is 21-22, there was no indication or confirmation that the school counselors continued to receive any additional training
in that area.
2:34:56
the need for us to note that in the report okay i'm concerned because just the issue of our students mental health is
something that is very very critical i think we've been hearing a lot more about the importance of us addressing the
psychological and mental health and behavioral health needs of our young people particularly i think we've shined a light
on that particularly in the wake of COVID-19. Just shifting gears a little bit, Dr. Berry, and I want to ask you, to your
knowledge, how does one get enrolled in VIVA? That's your vocational, the virtual program that you mentioned.
2:35:42
it has been represented to the board of education by the department that students are identified through a recommendation
process that's been conferred with the administrator of their home school meaning their camp home campus in
consultation with the school counselor and the parental guardian and that's what has been represented to the board of
education by the department okay um and it's not that it's not that there isn't any structure to the program it's just that we
have not we have not received any um you have not received any feedback as to the structure and the rules and the
guidelines We've had discussions but we were not able to observe any of the structure that was reported as being in place
by the Department of Education. In our presentation we also list as a result of a recent discussion with the department
relative to VIVA what our concerns were. As a pilot program the assumption can be made that they're still trying to work
out the kinks and that there are some deliverables that they are trying to achieve prior to the new school year which
includes reporting on the items that are listed senator okay thank you dr barry i mean we you know and i appreciate you i
appreciate your feedback um you know but most of the really most of the answers that we're seeking would come from
the Department of Education, in my view.
2:36:32
Dr. Simms, good morning, good afternoon to you. I know you mentioned about the issues of the role of the Department
of Health with respect to... It's seven minutes, Senator. I know you mentioned the issue of foodborne illnesses and the
role of the Department of Health in that regard. Under your watch, while you have been serving in that capacity, has there
been any issues relative to any significant foodborne illnesses with respect to in our public school system? No, there
haven't been any that have been, no. Short answer, no. Director Harris is also here if you had any further details, but no,
we have not received it, sir.
2:38:24
Okay. All right. Thank you very much, testifiers. Madam Chair, thank you very much for the time. Most of my questions
would have been directed towards the Department of Education, but, you know, they aren't here to respond. So thank you
very much. Thank you, Senator Potter. I emphasize the same. I did request that, obviously I requested the Department of
Education to come to today's hearing, but I just want to zone in on the fact that in order for the Board of Education to
promulgate the report that was submitted to us on July 1st they needed all these entities who were responsible some have
greater responsibility than others in section 24 and so today's and specifically the focus is on both the board education
and the department education and I understand made every effort for this hearing to occur which also and we're up
against a school year that is about to begin and then and I also emphasize that the 137 million dollars for this which for
which this has been this matter has been before this committee on three separate occasions for those who are interested
on the public you can actually read the entire report it is on the public drive it's also on the United States Department of
Education's website because when we speak about dropper prevention there has been monies allocated to address those
issues and learning loss. I'll now move on to Senator Saru for your questions. Thank you. Thank you Madam Chair and
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good afternoon to all. I promise to be brief because um education isn't really here to respond to the questions that are um
that we really have because we gave them five million we programmed five million from the pfa i think about 10 000
of that was spent um we have different tranches of money we have cga grants um we have arpa funds We have COVID
funds, CARES Act, so when they come, I'll ask them, but education, grading policy, so education has a grading policy,
and I realize the Board of Education sets the policy, and it's 40-40-10-10, 40% marking period, each semester, and then
10% is final, and 10% of the grade is mid-term. Schools will be giving the mid-term exams. So are you aware of that?
What is this discussion the Board of Education have? Because yes, our school structures are them. So So Chairman
Caldwell or Director Berry, are you aware of the change in the grading policy by the districts?
2:41:27
Senator, Dr. Stephanie Berry, Executive Director for the Virgin Islands Board of Education. I cannot say that I am
personally aware of any modifications to the current graduation requirements or the grading systems. Okay. Chairman
Caldwell, you? Oh, he left? Yes, he did. Just we asked Dr. Berry and Ms. Cassie. So I promised to be brief because it's
not much for me to ask Dr. Sims and the assistant chief for the fire department.
2:42:40
But I'm concerned that every day I open a newspaper and there is a full-page ad for free adult education. And we have
some summer programs happening for K-12, like Kinder Camp. But I'm concerned about the fact that we didn't really
conduct targeted assessments of our students. So over the summer, we could identify in this third grade class, these
students aren't reading on grade level. therefore we have all this federal funding how do we approach the unions and say
listen we're going to use this money to fairly compensate you for an additional month month and a half of school to get
these students on the appropriate reading level math level that has not been done that has not been done and then our
promotion rates education comes on boast about 100% graduation rate are these students doing well and then the test
scores come out and they don't correlate with the promotion rates this territory has engaged in social promotion so while
it looks good that we have a generation of children have passed their grades are they prepared for the next step are they
prepared for college in college nobody gives you a pass you show up and you have to pass the test there's no multiple
choice fill in a blank matching word options and we're doing them at this service in a way that we're educating our
students and it really is funny at this point it's a travesty and we're going to see the the fruits of this when our crime rate
increases because a child usually acts out when they are frustrated
2:43:18
with their academics. We see it, we're in a classroom. So I don't have much to say, but I'm really concerned about the
altering of the grading policy that the board sets. I'm concerned about the lack of targeted assessments and the fact that
schools aren't identifying those who are performing poorly. I'm concerned about the lack of academically talented classes
in our schools because you do have students who are performing above grade level that we're not pushing and we're not
demanding excellence from because we have this total inclusion policy i'm concerned about the lack of pre-k granny we
have we the law pass we have a few there should be more at this juncture given where we are with a global crisis we
should have already expanded the granny pre-k i'm concerned about the learning loss what are the plans to address the
learning loss in this territory these are valid concerns so we can't talk about capacity and high unemployment rate and
everything else education is a great equalizer it is so facilities do concern me but equally what is more concerning to me
is how we're teaching, how we're educating. Teachers are burned out. What are their plans to do with our teachers'
emotional wellness, mental days? How are we helping our educators recycling them in professional development? So
Madam Chair, I don't know what to ask in this hearing but to just babble and I will end at this at this juncture because
who I have the
2:45:07
questions for um they're unable to answer the fire department has done their job health has done their job miss berry
continues to do her job and the board and i don't see a plan to address the learning loss i have a niece who's going to 12th
grade never had a proper year of school So I'm babbling and again I have the mic now but Madam Chair we need a
hearing on how do we address every time we come here we talk about reports reports reports and more reports that
doesn't help us I need to know what is a plan to address the law and the last of our students. Thank you Madam Chair for
the time. Thank you Senator Saru. Yeah plans and reports because I've been asking for plans um it's going to be we're
going into about we start from january of last year for the first week of our service i've been asking for the plans a series
of plans over and over again so we need the plans to match up with the reports and then we need the actual
implementation and action plan so that they proceed forward move on to our next senator senator fred gregory you may
proceed with your questions good morning colleagues good morning to the testifiers and good morning to the well it's
actually afternoon to the people of the virgin islands you know as i sit here and i listen to the conversation around the
virgin islands department of education and our students and learning loss and maintenance of our schools and mental
health issues etc you know i have to say that it just seems like we like to hear ourselves talk because we talk about the
same
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things over and over for the past two years that i've sat in this institution year and a half we continue to talk about these
things we continue to put pressure or apply pressure around these various reports etc but then we appeal back the layers
we have not gotten any further and that is a problem and where I'm going with this is so we know that there's been a
challenge over the years with regards to the maintenance of our schools maintaining our schools and while we us here in
this institution want to talk about the fact that this hasn't been spent and that hasn't been spent as a release of maintaining
our schools there was a report done I think sometime in 2010, 2008, 2010 regarding the state of the schools, the state of
the structures here in the Virgin Islands of our schools and that report said that we needed at minimum 1.5 billion dollars
to get our schools up to speed in a decent condition for our kids to enter the decent classrooms.
2:48:54
And yet, this institution over the years, as I look at it, we've appropriated $2 million each year. The funds that we
continue to talk about around PFA, those funds have been sitting on the books for quite some time. Those are bonds that
we floated sometime in 2008 or 2009. So we continue to have the same conversation, and I'm going somewhere with this.
A few months ago, I moved legislation that I've been working on for, I'm gonna say three years, to at minimum try to
address this issue and remove the responsibility of the maintenance our schools from the department of education so they
can in fact focus on the mental health issues the learning loss challenges the curriculum matters but you know what
members in this very body voted no against it so what are we gonna do are we gonna is it it briefs well for us to come in
front of our community every time we have an education meeting to talk about the same thing But it's time that our
community hold us accountable. What are we doing about it, colleagues? What are we willing to do about it? It's all good
to beat up on the education folks, the Board of Education people, the people from FIRE, DPNR, etc. But what are we
doing about it?
2:50:24
Nothing. We ask the same questions over and over. And I've said to myself that I am going to be relentless in moving that
legislation forward because I cannot continue to participate in this conversation. It's hypocritical for me to participate and
continue to participate in this conversation with regards to how our schools are maintained. We see the situation, it has
been tested and tried and it hasn't worked. It's time for us to change the narrative. It's time. It's time. but I'm going to
move on from that because I'm not going to ask any questions about maintaining our schools today because we've asked
it over and over and we see what the situation is. Allow the education folks to focus on what? Our curriculum matters, the
mental health of our students, etc. So let me ask this question. So in the 33rd legislature I moved legislation around
virtual learning and one of the responsibilities was for the Board of Education as well as the Department of Education to
work together to establish the policy around the virtual learning legislation established the rules and regs and I'm getting a
lot of complaints coming to my office that the Department of Education is establishing standalone virtual learning office
if you will with a principal and that kind of thing. So I need to understand from the Board of Education, what's the status
of the policy? What's going on with the rollout? Because I think I heard someone of my colleagues asked a question and
it was that they're still working out the kink. So
2:51:59
I'm trying to figure out what is the Board of Education's role? What have they done? What has the board done? What's
the status of the policy? I think I saw a policy come through. And how are you managing that? Because the Department
of Education cannot arbitrarily decide that they they are going to set up a virtual school because we don't have virtual
schools in the Virgin Islands. The intent of the legislation was to ensure that in instances where we have students or
vacancies in English, science, or if our students want to participate or learn a different language that's not offered in the
Virgin Islands, like Mandarin, et cetera, then they would have the opportunity to do it, not for them to have no virtual
school building. So I need to understand what is the role of the Board of Education, what have they been doing? Because
we don't want to head a board complaining about it. You have full power and responsibility to ensure that this legislation
is in fact implemented, enacted and implemented in the appropriate way.
2:53:45
So help me, help me to understand because we need to ensure that the intent this legislation is in fact followed and the
department of education is not doing what they want to do as it relates to this particular uh legislation that was passed in
the 33rd legislature thank you senator for that question dr stephanie berry from the exec from the virgin ellis board of
education in addition to implementing the distance learning policy the board also has on the books um implemented a
policy for electronic communication devices in the classrooms As a result of the time, Madam Chair, if I may continue.
2:54:52
You proceed on my time. Let's do it at distance learning that I asked about in particular, please, Dr. Berry. Yes, that
policy was implemented and has been shared repeatedly with the department. We have also had meetings where we
talked about the distance learning policy. And it's a constant reminder every time we talk about VIVA as well. so that
what i don't understand what we're saying so the department of education is implementing the distance learning uh bill in
whatever manner they want but you are you guys are responsible for writing the policy so what this is why we don't have
no accountability what are we saying what are we actually saying here i'm not clear on that response senator we met with
the viva team from the department and the board expressed their concerns about it not being implemented in a manner
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that we expected. What you have just described is what we said.
The board also told the department that given what they represented they would not support an opportunity for them to
continue this Viva Academy without additional information being provided to the board. board is adamant that we need
more information and we made that clear to the department. We should not have a viva academy. This is for students at
the end of the school year where there are delters in the classroom meaning teachers will be absent for the specific subject
areas. Those students will still have an opportunity to be taught from a distance learning teacher so they could get the
requisite uh course this is not for them to set up a virtual academy our students need to be in front of a teacher a
classroom because we know that we have social and economic issues here in the virgin islands and we have to ensure
from a social perspective that our students are getting what they need so i don't understand how in the world the
department of education can decide that they could use this legislation to do that and we are not making our voices heard
on this i'm just learning about this today so madam chair this is a major issue that we have so we're talking about all kind
of other things here we need to get focused on what we're doing when it comes to the department of education colleagues
we need to get focused on what we're doing when we're talking about department of education all of this fluff and all
these things that we talk about that's not getting us to where we need to go so um i know that my time has been called but
um you know another day another meeting where we're not getting anywhere when it comes to vide board of education
they have any recommendation and conversations the board of
2:56:29
education have a lot more teeth make your voices heard take them to court do what you have to do too. That's how I see it
at this point. This has to stop. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Senator President. Dr. Berry-Houch, you wanted to
make a comment. Before you make your comment, I too, we have to hold ourselves accountable. I did, specifically for
this specific section of the law 24, did offer, and I too will remain relentless in the way we execute this accountability
report because throughout this country the Caribbean and the world the way in which education stakeholders address
education through a similar type report it is all-encompassing and it's not just up to the board we have to better prepare
ourselves fire service has to step up the Department of Health has to step up the Department of Planning Natural
Resources environmental division has to step up the Department of Labor OSHA division has to step up specifically
when it comes to OSHA it's all these interim measures for the mitigation to ensure that they're doing what we're doing to
safeguard our schools OSHA has a role they give they assist departments and agencies and it should be the assistant
department education and you have public works with the engineers and the like to help them in this reporting and then
we now as a body because they've given numbers to the needs of the interim needs to do the repairs they have given out
that information and I have drilled down over and over again engaging the territorial he's out the territorial management
mr. Charlemagne Charlemagne I've called for numerous meetings the learning loss information all of that we continue to
ask for and I am NOT in the position to direct the Commissioner of Education as to what to do that person is led by the
governor and I've drilled down and we have us collectively I have individually and also we have collectively drilled down
today is about this accountability report and I did not get collegial support for us to amend this and that's
2:58:23
what we're going through this today I will move on dr. Berry you had a response to Senator Senator Frederick senator I
echo your sentiments and the Virgin Islands Board of Education is going to be more forceful and direct with regards to
this viva program because we did not authorize the development and creation of this academy and we will continue to
keep the senate abreast as we go through the process under our jurisdictional authority thank you for the opportunity
madam chair thank you dr barry madam clerk you put um seven minutes on for me i'm going to proceed with my
questions okay to okay so to dr bear a lot of questions have also been answered already regarding the submission of the
reports particularly in the area of curriculum how is the how has the board been working on the all the curriculum
required by law particularly the curriculum also as outlined in section 41. um you did um you all did not appear for the
last um previous hearing but the question um concerning curriculum where is the board with respect to curriculum
mandates thank you for that question um through our policies rules and regulations committee the governing board did
develop 9 through 12 revisions for their promotion retention and grading systems policy, which includes offering the
opportunity through our course requirements for courses such as agriculture and the others included in the statute or
through statute. We're also in the process of revising our pre-K through seventh grade or eighth grade
3:00:32
incorporate some of those requirements as well to the best of our ability to start to have our younger learners think about
agriculture, think about all the other areas that are required by statute so that when they do get to the ninth through
twelfth grade that they'll be able to have not only the academic instruction but also a vocational career pathway as well.
With regards to to curriculum, we recently received the Virgin Islands standards of achievement from the department and
the board is currently reviewing those standards that will also be reviewed probably in the next two weeks by our
Policies, Rules and Regulations Committee.
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We've already started coming up with certain questions that we'd like to ask the department as a result of our preliminary
review of those standards. Thank you. And in terms of the reporting process, so I know the board members do take part in
traveling and meeting with other board members. And to Mrs. Perez-Casius, what can you lean in on improving the
method in which we're reporting? I'm sure you heard from the public a lot of the concerns with how the report is being
compiled. What can we do to improve this report and have more stakeholder input?
3:03:26
What are your suggestions? Emanuela Perez-Casias, Chair of this School Plans Facilities Committee. My suggestions is
exactly what was in the report, the legislature, and I hear what the Senator Fred Gregory is stating in regards to going to
court. But a lot of these matters are really legislative matters and language matters. And I really think that accountability
is very important. And right now, our standard that we have in the legislature, the law, does not provide clear
accountability and being able for us to hold different agencies accountable for not reporting. For example, three of the
five agencies did not turn in a report. However, there is nothing that we can do besides write and write and write and ask.
3:04:05
and then when it comes down to the data, we have to complete our obligations, then we just have to put statements inside
of these reports. The legislature can ensure through language in some of these legislative lines, we're clear the agencies
must report to the Board of Education by this date. Specifically, the Commissioner of Education must report to the Board
of Education. Right now, the suggestive language that is in the law allows for people to choose or not choose whether
they want to participate in this process. And with the only person that they are held accountable to is the governor who
appoints them within our current structure.
3:04:56
It leaves space for their version of how they feel like showing up without anybody holding them accountable other than
the boss who put all trust and confidence in them when they've recommended them for the position. So if you're asking
what can be done, legislative language that clearly defines roles and accountability and measures in which we can clearly
hold them accountable. Thank you. Because the law already speaks to these auxiliary entities being responsible to help
you put the report together. However, it doesn't say. But it doesn't mandate. Now, our power as a body, which we've done
before, I've subpoenaed the Department of Education.
3:05:41
We've done that. We can subpoena the documents. And so if that's what it takes as well. But I would submit that even if
we put in the word shall, right now I still don't understand and what is preventing them from consulting with you all, at
least providing tertiary information. And I will submit that through my work, I understood that once upon a time, Public
Works was doing their responsibility even before the statute was actually promulgated. So it's just a matter of, yes,
legislative mandate, which we spent last year doing. I made several attempts. They weren't successful because I needed
my colleagues to support measures. We had other measures as well with school maintenance. With or without the
measures, folks are responsible to carry out their duties. Over to the fire service, this is Director Stevens. How going
forward, before the report is submitted, is the fire service going to help, even working with OSHA, to help address these
mitigating issues, to make our schools a lot safer than they are? are. And I also submit that last year the schools were
what has been confusing Assistant Director Stevens is last year the fire service did certify that the schools are ready for
reopening but this year addressed concerns that I would safe assume were the same concerns of the previous year.
Schools have not gotten any better and they weren't they weren't they were not in the best shape last year either so if you
can really speak to going forward what is it that the fire service is going to do in response to making our schools safer or
helping to assist in being safer good afternoon again madam chair and thank thank you for the question
3:06:28
like i said in the beginning the fire service has a responsibility to the community and to other students to making sure that
our schools are safe what we try to do is to yes there may be issues in a particular area of the school what we try to do is
work with the department of education to give us a timeline to say okay we can get this problem rectified within a certain
amount of time and most of the times they we trust that that will be taken care of um yes we understand that there's some
uh issues that have not been taken care of over the years but uh within dialogue with the schools and trying to find ways
to uh mitigate and to do any love for example if a particular area let's say the auditorium needs uh should have sprinkler
systems or the sprinkler system isn't working then we try to find ways around and say okay let's put more fire
extinguishers or make sure that a school monitor um is is in the vicinity of a fire extinguisher therefore you know so to
eliminate you have to be able to find a balance we can't say well hey we're going to shut down the school because we shut
down the school where are students going to go so we try to make sure that there are ways that we can mitigate and and
um work around uh in the meantime given the school department of education the opportunity to to get things fixed we
understand that sometimes a chance there are some challenges and we try to work with them in that manner but what I
ask is that as we said I mean the documents that are submitted have to be accurate and when the concern particularly
from the fire service was that last
3:08:21
year these concerns that were brought up this year weren't brought up last year and these and these issues were already
present last year so our responsibility is to ensure that what you submit when people sign off on documentation they have
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to be accurate and truthful and they're gonna it's gonna come a time when it's not gonna i don't accept that i don't accept
folks submitting reports that are inaccurate so we have to move forward i am happy this year that the fire service
department put out exactly what needs to be fixed but last year they did you all did not do that and the board can only
take the information and take your all's word for it other than of course obviously as we've gone ourselves to the schools
and see what's going on. To Dr. Simms, Assistant Commissioner Simms, you spoke about the school lunch program and I
have been really trying to get to the bottom of that directly engaging with Department of Education. How often does the
department of health go out to do inspections of um the food services and also you notice the safety of the food and
within schools i'm going to ask director harris to respond senator okay good afternoon director harris here from uh
department of health so we we conduct uh two inspections for the school lunch program um six months apart we try to do
the first or five months apart we try to do the first inspection uh at least right after school uh the closing of um schools
and then halfway in between so it's twice twice per school year do you think that is sufficient though based on what um
the report does come out um what is your
plan to actually do that a lot more regimentally and regularly and i know a number of our kitchens i mean for example
when they're like we have a series of schools that have missing kitchens have issues how what how do what does the
department of health do um in response to those issues with kitchens and the cafeterias what response um what what have
you all done about that okay so what we do uh the with the with the inspections we go out and do two mandated
inspections uh based on the uh food and drug administration if we find files within or violations within these uh the the
inspections then we conduct what it called follow-up inspections to try to get the administration of the school to meet the
minimum requirements as indicated by the FBA, who regulates all the food industries.
3:12:12
We also put recommendations in terms of having schools satellite from other school launch programs. We, I don't want to
say that we don't close them down, but we work with them and we look, our inspections are risk based. So we look at the
risk, we look at the five major risk based, as Dr. Sims mentioned in her testimony, and we work closely with education
and consult with them to get them to the level of compliance. compliance in the event that they just can't meet the
compliance then we issue a public health order and work with them and getting um a school lunch from another school
uh to the schools that that seems to have the problem i'm going to submit that you're all going to have to be a lot more
regimental and i'm requesting um to be sent to this committee um those reports okay from the the department of health
whatever reports you've submitted in the past um in the last year be submitted to this committee okay thank you for that
my pleasure senator yes we need those reports what we what is going on here there are a series of information being
passed and a lot of documentation going back and forth but in order for me to do my job and make my responsibility
before we get into the subpoenas um because we we really got to get a real framework for what's going on and beyond
this meeting we're gonna have to actually have a serious huddle for what we need to deal with and I will then we'll move
on to our second round I don't see okay and before moving on I want to go back to the Board of Education the Board of
Education is responsible also for a lot of the federal funds that support and address administration and they're like well
how
3:13:12
is it what is your spirit I mean what what do you all what is the board doing right now to address what is really the
Department of Education's spending of federal funds, not updating you and facilitating, what is the board doing about that
in respect to all of the current federal funds that the Department of Education is responsible for? Dr. Stephanie Berry,
executive director for the Virgin Islands Board of Education. The board has had several meetings with the department
where they have provided information relative to the expenditure of their funds by different funding sources. We've
looked at those for facilities specifically and the slew of other funding sources that came through as a result of the
pandemic as well as the hurricanes. We have communicated with the department after reviewing those documents that we
needed additional information.
3:15:11
As part of our testimony today and in the SMAR report, we're asking for, or we're making the recommendation that it be
mandated that we are involved in the conversations and allow us the opportunity to be able to review everything as it
occurs and receive status updates on a more periodic basis. They have done it, but not as consistently, and we have not
received responses to our probing into the expenditures that they have provided us information on.
3:16:12
Thank you. And we're going to take a recess, a few minute recess. But I want to submit to you, Dr. Berry, that one of the
things I'm committed to working on is giving the power the board more power i've mulled the statute over um analyzed
and everything with my team and we're going to need to give you all more power um as we sit here today i'm even i mean
let's put in perspective i asked for the department education to appear um but they were able to go on the radio which i
knew about which they informed me of we have individuals who are even online as we speak who who are part of
department education commenting um as i get information but yet um you know we are having this hearing today um i
don't take lightly at all that the department education is not doing their responsibility with respect to but it comes now to
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us exercising our oversight um for the information to come in a regular interval basis and beyond the hearings we're
going to have to have uh this next series of meetings which i do submit that i've had All last year, we had a series of
meetings, which I appreciate the board education, invited my colleagues as well, and we're going to continue to move
forward because the only way we'll get this done is by the critical work. We're going to have to dig in deep and get the
work done. And if we have to request by subpoena, I'm fully ready. I'm always ready to get information. And yes, you
also have the option of taking it to court when we get to that stage. I'm going to take just a brief it's 1.15 we'll just take a
five minute recess so we can close out and wrap up on block one the committee on education workforce development
stands in recess for about five minutes thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I'll see you next time. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank
you.
The Committee on Education and Workforce Development is now back out of recess, back on the record. Madam Clerk,
we're just going to finish up with, I'm going to put the timer on for three minutes, and to my colleagues with their
concerns over more time, we will have follow-up meetings and hearings and the like as we usually do to get this
information also if you're just tuning in welcome good afternoon to all I really encourage for those if anyone's interested
of course in the report and the documents for today's hearing you can obtain it on the public Drive okay senator Joseph
you're up for your three minutes hello a good day again thank you so much Senator Whitaker a pleasant good afternoon I
just wanted to follow up with some questions I had an in in a attempt to be very proactive and dr. Berry are you still in
the chambers I am senator okay because we're not seeing the st. croix chambers on the screen thank you have you or your
team of board members and the board of elect i'm sorry board of education previous board i served on have you done any
type of research into education reform that may be viable options here in the Virgin Islands, knowing all of the findings
and the lack of communication
3:26:28
and the Department of Education operating outside of its jurisdiction. Have you done any type of research on what type
of management and operation would be the best to operate here in the virgin islands and so that our students are in fact
learning and we can see that the buildings are being repaired timely have you done any type of research you or the board
members there has been discussion and limited research over the years regarding education reform especially in light of
the fact that the governing board's structure is very different than that on the mainland where the governing board here is
not responsible for let's say hiring the superintendent on the mainland they um those boards are um in more recent times
we have not done official research with regards to that but that is an item that i will take back to our governing board
because it's always at the forefront of their mind to ensure that we're improving our public education system here in the
territory Thank you. My question, and I was going somewhere with that, is because I have been a senator here for a year
and seven months. And when we came on board in the 34th legislature, we hit the ground running in this committee and
did site visits. And so it's very concerning for me that I'm not seeing the amount of progress happening in the board with
the Department of Education. I've seen some with the Board of Education, but the dialogue, the
3:28:24
discussions, the plan of action, looking at where we can, because we have a lot of highly educated persons, and I know
we have the ability to do it here. If we would just have some discussions and plan it and plot it out and come up with a
viable solution. We have to look at it from the perspective that it's our young people, these are our children, and it's not
even the young people, it's even the working class people. Education, as a previous senator said, is a great time equalizer
uh madam chair i'm going to wrap up if you would allow me to yes it is a great equalizer it helps with crime prevention it
helps our workforce grow it helps our community and territory grow so i'm hoping that you and the board you would take
this to the board to look at some serious measures to do education reform it is critical right now because we can no longer
make all of these excuses on why you're not getting the reports why you're not uh where why we're not seeing any sizable
and significant progress being made in the department of education it is unacceptable thank you so much madam chair for
this time thank you senator joseph now proceed to senator potter for your three minutes as we wrap up thank you very
much madam chair uh good afternoon again everyone um i'm gonna just talk a little bit about my um uh mental health the
issue of mental health it concerns me that
3:30:16
more and more of our states in the United States, most more and more of them are enacting laws, creating a mandatory
mental health education in the K through 12 curriculum. I think it's really important. It is something that I proposed
earlier. I had a bill presented here in this body to make that a reality. And I know we have a large comprehensive mental
health bill that is making its way through the process also. But specifically, this bill was geared towards mandating that
mental health education is a part, becomes a part of the K through 12 curriculum.
3:32:09
curriculum. It also focused on providing mandatory training for all school-based personnel who interact with children on
a daily basis. It's an extra pair of eyes to focus on the signs and the symptoms. It focused on destigmatizing the process,
destigmatizing mental health, mental health illness illnesses or issues I think as a Caribbean persons it is something that
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we are not as comfortable talking about and I am really hopeful that in the coming weeks and months that my colleagues
will support the initiative to make mental health education in our school something that is mandatory and it may require
some more support and input from the Department of Health, the Board of Education to shape it correctly. I think the
feedback that we had gotten was that we're creating an additional burden for teachers, something else for them to have to
be required to do. But the importance of it, the significance of mental health, I think it warrants us, if necessary,
providing our school personnel with the required training so that they would be more equipped to handle some of the
issues that that we see on a day-to-day basis that may go unnoticed, that we are allowed to fester into more significant
and more serious problems down the line. So that is something that I hope that we can,
you know, that can become a reality. So I just wanted to ask Dr. Sims and Dr. Berry to comment for their comments on
that. you on the chair's time and yep you may proceed dr sims and dr barry uh thank you senator dr nicole craigwell sims
that's this acting commissioner department of health uh senator potter i completely agree it really just is a matter of a
partnership between the department of education and department of health we do have the bill that is coming up and
within that bill we have embedded a tier process or tier system for educators for schools understanding and identifying as
you've mentioned the signs and symptomology for behavioral and mental health there is also a recommendation to
include a lot of these areas into the curriculum i think when we speak about mental health a lot of persons still go all the
way to the extreme left with it mental health mental wellness behavioral health behavioral wellness is an everyday
occurrence and it should be something that is embedded into your everyday learning and existence and work life and so
these are the discussions that we are having we're more than happy to have those so that we can help to structure and train
so it becomes part of the everyday existence within the education system thank you very much for your comments Dr.
Berry I concur with Dr. Sims it needs to be part of a systemic change we need to move away from the stigmatism that's
often created by the word mental
3:35:01
it's the word mental alone my name is Dr. Stephanie J Berry I am the daughter of a mentally ill person who was highly
functioning and it is something that is near and dear to my heart because as a child growing up especially going to public
school and having my parent be the mentally ill individual it was a very challenging experience for me and I would like
to see more effort given to educating our children and adults as to the fact that mental is not just on the far left as Dr.
Simms has described, it's in your everyday approach to life and sometimes even if you can see that they're highly
functioning you have no clue and the sensitivity that is needed is something that is significantly lacking here in the
territory and I look forward to the opportunity as a person of the community as well as the Executive Director for the
Board of Education in any initiative to encourage legislation for birth to death regarding this matter.
3:36:51
Thank you very much, Dr. Berry, for your very candid input. Thank you very much. Thanks, Madam Chair. Thank you,
Senator Potter. Move on to Senator Gregory for your three minutes. you Madam Chair. So I have a quick question to ask
the Board of Education and it's tied to bill number 33.0207 that was enacted sometime in October of 2019 and it's around
all persons teaching pre-kindergarten through third grade in our public schools, requiring them to have certain
requirements. I'm interested in finding out from the board, the board was responsible for promulgating and getting
training. I think there was monies set aside for $170,000 was appropriate, is appropriated annually for this purpose. And I
am up to 2023. We are now in 2022 fiscal year, but we have one more year.
3:38:09
and i want to find out from the board of education if the rules are promulgated and what's the status of working with those
teachers who are k pre-k four actually pre no it's pre-k three third grade teachers who um are working with our early
childhood uh students where are we with that Thank you for that question, Dr. Stephanie Berry, Executive Director for
the Virgin Islands Board of Education. The board did develop policy and circulate it regarding the early childhood
education requirements for those individuals that are teaching pre-K through third. We have circulated it as well as what
we've done is we received a list from the department and we started contacting those individuals that are certified, and
any person that comes to us for certification since that policy was implemented, we've been making sure that we tell them
about it.
3:39:38
Okay, so this is a law, so this is a little more than telling. So let me ask the Board of Education, have you done an
assessment to determine whether or not the, because this legislation has been in effect since 2019 and the years that the
training was to begin was October 1 of 2020, 21, 22, and moving into 23. Have you done an assessment to determine how
many teachers in our pre-K three have gone through this program and how many remain outstanding? What are we
assessing? Because we continue to talk about ensuring that our students are reading on grade level and we're doing what
we're supposed to do with regards to our primary, early childhood grades in particular. But are we doing the assessment
to determine whether or not this is actually happening in our schools?
3:40:43
You might answer on the chair's time because time has been called. Thank you, Senator. we have started doing an
assessment we are currently um making our confirming our information and we will in fact be uh contacting the
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department's hr department to confirm what we have so we're doing a comparison analysis to ensure that these
individuals are being compliant and if not they will be notified accordingly my time has been called so thank you for your
response however um through the chair i'm requesting that the virgin ann's board of education provide this uh body with
the information as it relates to bill number 33-0207 what's the status and what they're doing to ensure that this um
program is in fact in effect for our teachers and if in fact additional time is needed so we can can continue to appropriate
the necessary funding for the training. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you, Senate President, and we will definitely honor that request, and I will also emphasize that also ties to my
request for the curriculum. So we have a series of requests as we compile our requests, but I have actually dove into, let
you have passed in the 32nd and 33rd legislature, and also that was the purpose of on the previous hearing where we
asked them to be here over curriculum mandates. So that, we're gonna now conclude today, the Block 1 for today's
hearing. I will now, if we have no more burning questions from my colleagues, we'll now proceed with closing, allowing
the respective entities to provide their closing statements for Block 1. I'll first turn to Dr. Stephanie Berry on behalf of the
Board of Education to close out.
3:42:54
Madam Chair, on behalf of the Virgin Islands Board of Education, I'd like to thank the committee for allowing us the
opportunity to give our testimony here today. I would especially like to thank our ancillary departments who showed up
and showed out. We really appreciate your cooperation in providing the information that is critical to us improving our
School Management Accountability Report to all senators who have expressed their feedback and comments and
concerns. It has been duly noted and I can assure you that it will be addressed as quickly as we possibly can. And I'd like
to encourage everyone to make a positive approach to really focus on what we can do to move forward. We've planned a
lot and implemented, but there's really no true assessment of what we're doing, and I'd like to see an improvement in that,
and we're gonna work towards that, because we do need change for educational excellence, mission-based leadership,
site-based management, and strategically-driven governance to improve the quality of public education here in this
territory. Thank you for your time, Madam Chair.
3:43:42
thank you dr barry move on to assistant commission acting commissioner dr sims you will proceed with your closing
remarks thank you senator on behalf of the honorable hussein canasta young and the department of health we thank you
for the opportunity to be here this morning to present testimony i want to take this time to also thank my team for being
here uh with me today we look forward to any feedback that's going to be beneficial to the overarching uh success of the
discussions that we've had today uh the environmental health division stands ready willing and able to continue to
provide support to the department of education relative to not only food programs but anywhere that we can assist
relative to any of the health crises that we may be facing so we look forward to any question that you may have any
requests that you have of us for any information we will send those right over other than that just thank you so much for
the opportunity thank you and we have and finally assistant director for the virtual fire services um director stevens you
may proceed with your closing good afternoon again madam chair and again i would like to thank you for the opportunity
and your team for the opportunity to present on the behalf of director daryl george who couldn't be with us in this setting
today um we look forward to going out on the 20th and the 21st of this next week and island of st croix to do the
continued assessments with the team that was assembled uh and we look forward to presenting those reports to the
appropriate bodies whenever that time comes uh and the follow-up should be sometime the following week um in the
same time of st john district again we want to do whatever it is that we can to make our community safe and keep our
community safe um at our levels so again thank you and thank everyone who attended
3:45:07
thank you and i want to again thank all the testifiers um for their testimony today and we're going to continue to move
forward yes um or things will get better so just continue to and just be transparent in that and we're going to have to
definitely put a lot more information out to the public so they are aware of what's going on respect to this matter of our
schools and we're going to continue to push forward at this time the committee will stand in recess for for 15 minutes,
we're just gonna take a break as we go into block two. The Committee on Education and Workforce Development stands
in recess for 15 minutes.
3:47:14
We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank
you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back.
We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be
right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right
back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right
back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank
you. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back.
We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
3:48:09
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Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right
back. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. We'll be
right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We'll be right back. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you. We'll be right back. Oh, no. We'll be right back. We'll be right back. Thank you. We'll be right back. Good
afternoon.
The Committee on Education and Workforce Development is now back of recess, back on the record. We are moving
now to block number two and I first want to do a quick quorum call. Madam Clerk, quorum call. Senator Donna A. Fred
Gregory. Senator Donna A. Fred Gregory absent. Senator senator kenneth Lituens, senator kenneth L Gituens absent
senator Carla J Joseph, senator Carla J Josef absent senator Milton E Potter Senator Milton E Potter absent senator
Janelle K Saru Senator Janelle K Saru absence senator Kurt A Viale senator Kurt A Viale absent Senator Genevieve R.
Whitaker. Present. Senator Genevieve R. Whitaker, present. Madam Chair, we have one present, six absent.
4:37:34
Okay. Thank you, Madam Clerk. We seem to have definitely lost a quorum. And also, too, we're going to go ahead. I just
want, if you would please read, once again, Madam Clerk, the agenda pertains to block number two, and we do have a
correspondence from the Board of Education relative to the bill that I've sponsored to address the teaching of Virgin
Island's Caribbean history in our schools. Block number two for the Committee on Education and Workforce
Development. The committee will receive testimony on the following bill, bill number 34.0238, an act amending Title
17, Virgin Islands Code, Chapter 5, Section 41C relating to the courses of study in public schools to require that the
Virgin Islands, to require that Virgin Islands and Caribbean history be taught specifically in kindergarten through 12th
grade and for other purposes. Sponsored by Senator Genevieve R. Whitaker. Invited testifiers, Victor Soong III, acting
commissioner, Virgin Islands Department of Education.
4:38:41
Dr. Kaiser Calvert, chairman, Virgin Islands Board of Education. Madam Chair, that is block two. Thank you, Madam
Clerk. I'm seeing Senator Cerugi mark her as present. We still would need one more member because we need three
people in order to proceed. But also as a measure is being considered, we'll need a majority of members to move it
forward. Madam Clerk, we have a correspondence from the Board of Education. Yes, Madam Chair.
4:39:50
You may proceed. Letter from Stephanie J. Berry, Ph.D., Executive Director, Virgin Islands Board of Education, dated
July 12, 2022. Dear Chairwoman Whitaker, on behalf of Chairman Kaiser A. Calwood, please be advised that the VI
Board of Education VIBE will be available to testify at the Committee on Education and Workforce Development July
15, 2022 hearing in the morning up until 12 p.m. As such, the Virgin Islands Board of Education requests a recording of
the agenda to allow for the discussion on the School Management Accountability Report to be first. We are currently
prepared to testify for this discussion and will transmit it to your office by end of business tomorrow. Additionally, your
consideration of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Education's previously submitted comments on bill number 34-0238 in lieu
of our presence is requested. The Virgin Islands Board of Education has no objection to the Virgin Islands and Caribbean
history being taught in public schools. Virgin Islands Board of Education has sought through correspondence to ascertain
the extent to which the mandates are being implemented, specifically regarding the teaching of VI history and basic
Caribbean history. While the Virgin Islands Board Department of Education has asserted that VI history is being taught,
Virgin Islands Board of Education has asked specifically for evidence of a curriculum or outline that indicates the aspect
of VI history that are being taught. The Virgin Islands Department of Education has, however, indicated to the board that
it is in the process of completing a comprehensive curriculum framework which the board expects will be available to
give the evidence needed to prove compliance with the statute. Lastly, in addition to the reoccurring need for additional
resources, we remain mindful
4:40:17
that given the number of instructions hours required, there is not sufficient time in the current school day for all the
courses, subjects, mandated by the legislature to be included as standalone courses for all students. While VI history is a
standalone course and a graduation requirement for every student in the senior high level, Virgin Islands history must be
taught within the context of the social studies curriculum on the lower levels, and the Virgin Islands Department of
Education should provide the curriculum evidence that shows the specific content for VI history.
4:42:24
This is part of the social studies curriculum on the lower levels and available to all students. Your consideration of the
Virgin Islands Board of Education's request to reorder the agenda to allow discussion on the SMAR to be first is sincerely
appreciated. Regards, Stephanie J. Berry, PhD, Executive Director, Virgin Islands Board of Education. That is the
testimony. Thank you, Madam Clerk, for reading that on the record. And as we want to move to closing, I want to just
emphasize and encourage the public. We're speaking about Title 17, Section 41, Courses of Study. The Board, as per the
law, subsection A, the Virgin Islands Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Commission of Education,
shall prescribe the course of study for all public schools, which shall not less than, shall not be less than the minimum
4:43:04
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standards set by the acknowledged accrediting groups in the United States, provided that the basic course of study for
high school shall be academic.
B, English shall be the basic language of instruction in all public schools, and it be the policy of the virgin islands board
of education to ensure the mastery of english by all pupils provided that bilingual instruction may be offered in those
situations when instruction is educationally advantaged to the pupils and specifically as it pertains to the specific
subsection of the law as the bill is being offered today uh subsection c all public schools in the virgin islands shall
instruct all students in one the history of the virgin islands and basic caribbean history and drug prevention and education
such courses be part of the curriculum in elementary and secondary schools and then um number two is again all public
schools in the virgin islands shall instruct all students into a virgin islands cultural curriculum for kindergarten through
12th grade as i emphasized when it was first offered the goal is that these provisions be congruent that we in fact ensure
that the we make sure that we have the congruence and we ensure that in fact version of caribbean history is being taught
in our schools we also have a active lawsuit as I've supported and as well as and I want to also really encourage the public
to be empowered with knowledge and information that I also am putting on the record that pursuant to title 3 uh
subsection uh section 96 uh in particular and the department education is already mandated to integrate united states
virgin islands art culture and history into the educational curriculum so with those two statutes as well as my hopeful um
push for my law to go through we will then have some congruence and we'll also continue to engage in oversight so that
our children are educated in this is just one of the numerous curriculum curriculum areas as I do not have a quorum and
enough members we're gonna go ahead and proceed I want to first off before closing out certainly thank my team my
staff team I want to thank central staff madam clerk does everyone who makes possible me today possible so much goes
into preparing for hearings and to the public yes I encourage you to go on to the committee folders, pull up the
information. If you have any questions, I encourage you to always reach out to my office, 712-2379 is my phone number,
direct line with email address, senatorwhittaker at lagva.org. Thank you to everyone, and we're going to continue to move
forward into the questions asked by the public. I'll continue to advocate. I am passionate, just like you. I share the
concerns about the maintenance of our schools about the instruction that's why every day um i drew we you know we
have to continue to drill down drill down and keep pushing and pushing and pushing and we are gonna um as we work
more together as a people as we strive uh to beyond the differences uh to as a people uh work hard for education and i
also want to put out there i'm very excited to share that i've been working on especially when it comes to the matter of
assessments working with some really strategic way and funding support so we can actually get from preschool really
support our children is learning from the time they begin school so the work continues and so now this I'll go ahead and
adjourn thank you all God bless and safety to everyone and those who've lost a loved one we sympathize with you our
condolences to everyone who's lost a loved one and we're gonna continue down this road in support of our educators, our
teachers, administrators, parents, the wider community. The Committee on Education Workforce Development is now
adjourned. Have a blessed
4:44:09
weekend, everyone. Take care. Thank you.
4:48:05
People named in this transcript
SUSPECTED, and a finding aid only. Names were matched by machine against the spellings used across all 426 of our transcripts, and the
title is the one used in the room. Being named here is NOT evidence that a person attended or spoke · only that the name was said. Speech
recognition mishears names, so a spelling may be wrong even where no alternative is offered.
15x
Dr. Stephanie Berry
heard in this transcript as: Berry
14x
Dr. Kaiser A. Calwood
the surname alone also matches: Linda Calwood
heard in this transcript as: Callwood, Calwood, Carlwood, Carwood, Colwood, Kaisa Callwood
13x
Senator Genevieve R. Whitaker
heard in this transcript as: Whitaker
8x
Senator Milton E. Potter
heard in this transcript as: Potter
7x
Senator Janelle K. Saro
heard in this transcript as: Saru
4x
Senator Carla Joseph
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heard in this transcript as: Carla J. Joseph
4x
Senator Donna A. Frett-Gregory
heard in this transcript as: Donna A. Fred Gregory
3x
Senator Fred Gregory
the surname alone also matches: Donna A. Frett-Gregory; Donna Frett-Gregory; Donna A. Fred Gregory; Frank Gregory
heard in this transcript as: Gregory
3x
Senator Kenneth L. Gittens
heard in this transcript as: Kenneth L. Gittins
3x
Senator Kurt Vialet
heard in this transcript as: Kurt A. Viala
2x
Governor Albert Bryan Jr
2x
Senator Hubert Frederick
heard in this transcript as: Frederick
2x
Dr. Stefan Juergen
heard in this transcript as: Stefan B. Jergen
1x
Senator Donna Frett-Gregory
heard in this transcript as: Donna A. Frett-Gregory
Bills and acts referred to
Matched by number against our own acts corpus. The number is what the recognition heard, so it may be wrong; where it resolved, the title is the one
the Legislature gave the act.
Referred to but not found in our acts corpus: Bill 34-0238, Bill 33-0207
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