USVI Public Records

Document text

Craig Benjamin Executive Director Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance Yacht Haven Grande, Building B – Suite B201-B205 St. Thomas, VI 00802 Email: craig.benjamin@vide.vi June 11, 2025 The Honorable Senator Kurt A. Vialet Chairman, Committee on Education and Workforce Development 36th Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands St. Thomas, VI 00802 Dear Senator Vialet, On behalf of the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance (BSCM), I extend my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to appear before the Committee on Education and Workforce Development to provide testimony on summer repair and maintenance plans for public school facilities in preparation for the 2025–2026 academic year. Please find attached BSCM’s official testimony in response to your letter dated May 20, 2025. The testimony addresses each of the requested areas, including:  A detailed list of schools and facilities scheduled for summer repairs, along with contractor assignments and scope of work  Project prioritization criteria  Budget breakdowns by project and school, including cost estimates and funding sources  Project timelines aligned with summer programming and the academic calendar  Copies of inspection reports from walkthroughs conducted for the 2024–2025 school year, including corrective actions taken  The inspection schedule for the 2025–2026 school year  Contingency planning for potential delays  Long-term strategies for mitigating recurring maintenance issues Also enclosed are supporting documents referenced within the testimony, which provide further detail and context. Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion. We remain committed to ensuring that all public school facilities are safe, functional, and ready for the start of the new academic year. Should the Committee require additional information, we would be happy to provide it. Respectfully, Craig Benjamin Executive Director Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance