USVI Public Records

Document text

Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 2 July 7, 2026 Honorable Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Chairperson Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance Capitol Building Post Office Box 1690 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00804 Sent electronically via nfrancis@legvi.org Dear Senator Francis: Thank you for the opportunity to present testimony on the Fiscal Year 2027budget for the Virgin Islands Department of Education before the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance. Enclosed with this letter is our comprehensive handbook, which includes detailed testimony and supporting documentation. I sincerely appreciate your continued support and commitment to addressing the needs of the Virgin Islands Department of Education. Sincerely, Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed.D. Commissioner Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 3 Table of Contents Commissioner’s Statement ......................................................................................................... 4 VIDE Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund Budget Overview ............................................................5 Personnel Services ................................................................................................................... 5 Fringe Benefits .......................................................................................................................... 7 Supplies...................................................................................................................................... 8 Other Services ........................................................................................................................... 9 Utilities ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Capital Projects ....................................................................................................................... 11 Miscellaneous .......................................................................................................................... 12 Staffing Summary ........................................................................................................................ 13 School Meal Programs ................................................................................................................ 16 Federal Grants .............................................................................................................................. 17 Mission & Vision...................................................................................................................... 19 Strategic Priorities .................................................................................................................. 19 Student Data ............................................................................................................................ 20 Graduation Rates .................................................................................................................... 21 New Schools Overview ............................................................................................................... 21 New Schools Project Highlights ................................................................................................ 22 New Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 ............................................................................................. 22 Charlotte Amalie High School ............................................................................................... 23 Bertha C. Boschulte PreK-8 ................................................................................................... 23 New Julius E. Sprauve PreK-12 ............................................................................................. 24 New Central High School ....................................................................................................... 24 St. Croix Educational Complex- Modernization .................................................................. 24 Conclusion.................................................................................................................................... 26 Addendum A: Expenditures ........................................................................................................... 28 Addendum B: Contracts................................................................................................................. 29 Addendum C: Disallowed Meals.................................................................................................... 30 Addendum D: Public Schools Enrollment...................................................................................... 32 Addendum E1: Public Schools Graduation ................................................................................... 33 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 4 Introduction Commissioner’s Statement Good morning, Chairperson Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Vice-Chair Senator Marvin A. Blyden, and distinguished members of the Budget, Appropriations, and Finance Committee: Senators Dwayne M. DeGraff, Ray Fonseca, Hubert L. Frederick, Marise C. James, and Kurt Vialet. I also greet the non-committee members present and all who are listening and viewing today. I am Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington, privileged to serve as the Commissioner of Education for the Virgin Islands. Thank you for this opportunity to discuss the fiscal year 2026 budget and its potential impact on our students, faculty, and staff. I would like to begin by commending the members of this committee for your steadfast support in securing General Fund appropriations for the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE). The 36th Legislature deserves special recognition for its continued partnership and shared commitment to advancing public education throughout our territory. Your leadership and proactive engagement have been instrumental in helping the Department move forward with initiatives that strengthen teaching and learning, improve student achievement, and enhance educational opportunities for every child. We are deeply grateful for the funding that enables the Department to pursue our strategic priorities: improving student outcomes, strengthening the quality of our schools, building a more effective education system, fostering meaningful family engagement, and cultivating strong community partnerships. Your investment provides the resources necessary to accelerate academic recovery, support student success, and measure our progress as we continue transforming public education in the Virgin Islands. Today, I appear before you to present the Department's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget and to discuss the investments needed to sustain this important work. Education remains the foundation of a thriving society, shaping the future of our workforce, strengthening our economy, and preparing informed and engaged citizens. As we continue to address the evolving needs of our students, it is essential that we maintain adequate funding to support our schools, retain and develop a highly qualified workforce, and preserve the programs that promote academic excellence and student well-being. Continued investment in public education will ensure that every child in the Virgin Islands has access to a high-quality, equitable education and the opportunity to succeed. Joining me today are members of my leadership team: • Mr. Victor Somme III, Assistant Commissioner • Ms. Hasina Harris, Deputy Commissioner of Fiscal and Administrative Services • Dr. Renee Charleswell, Deputy Commissioner of Curriculum and Instruction • Dr. Stefan Jürgen, Insular Superintendent, St. Thomas-St. John District • Dr. Carla Bastian-Knight Insular Superintendent, St. Croix District Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 5 • Ms. Mirrlees Duggins, Director of Business and Budget Affairs • Ms. Nicole Jacobs, Director of Human Resources • Mrs. Vickie Vasquez-Liburd, Director of Procurement • Ms. Belinda Sanderson, State Director of Special Nutrition Programs • Chaneel Callwood, Architect Additional VIDE personnel are on standby to provide detailed insights into specific areas if needed. Again, thank you for your unwavering support and the opportunity to testify today. VIDE Fiscal Year 2027 General Fund Budget Overview For FY 2027, the Governor recommended an appropriation of $186,691,691. This recommendation represents a 4.11% increase ($7,374,692) over our FY 2026 approved budget of $179,316,999, as illustrated in Table 1. This proposed allocation consists of $109,374,557 designated for Personnel Services, $60,408,720 for Fringe Benefits, $1,302,754 for Supplies, $7,861,964 for Other Services, $7,500,000 for Utilities, and $243,696 for Capital Projects. The targeted investment will secure the salaries and benefits of our dedicated educators and support staff, sustain vital operational functions, and ensure the foundational resources are in place to deliver consistent educational services across both districts. Table 1 Budget Comparison for FY2026 and FY2027 FY 2026 FY 2027 Variance ($) Variance (%) Appropriation $179,316,999.00 $186,691,691.00 $7,374,692.00 4.11% Personnel Services Personnel Services represent the very core of our educational system, encompassing $109,374,557 of our Fiscal Year 2027 recommended budget and accounting for 58.59% of the total allocation. This critical investment directly supports 1,987 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions – the dedicated individuals who educate, nurture, and support every student across the Virgin Islands. The allocation primarily provides for the base salaries of our dedicated personnel, consisting of $98,439,078 for Classified Employee Salaries and $10,310,479 for Unclassified Employee Salaries. In addition, $625,000 is strategically allocated to support other vital personnel initiatives, specifically $425,000 for Temporary and Part- Time salaries and $200,000 for our crucial Substitute Teacher salaries. Securing these Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 6 baseline funds ensures the structural stability of our personnel as we maintain consistent educational services and operational continuity throughout both school districts. The FY 2027 recommended budget for Personnel Services reflects a $127,341 increase over the FY 2026 baseline allocation of $109,247,216 (as detailed in Table 2 below). A significant driver of this shift is the ongoing sustainment of collectively bargained salary adjustments and the formal alignment of our payroll entries within local appropriations. To accommodate these fixed commitments within our territory-wide fiscal framework, the Department exercised rigorous internal control, managing personnel movements efficiently and zeroing out local funding lines for Overtime, Night Differential, and Accrued Leave Pay. This disciplined approach allows VIDE to absorb shifting personnel operational realities while keeping resources tightly focused on supporting our 1,987 Full- Time Equivalents and protecting frontline instruction. Ultimately, investing in personnel is an investment in our students' future. By adequately funding these positions, the Virgin Islands Department of Education can retain qualified educators, strengthen essential support services, and ensure every student has access to a high-quality education across both districts. Table 2 Summary of Personnel Services Budget Comparison (FY2026 vs. FY2027) Budget Category FY 2026 FY 2027 Variance ($) Variance (%) Personnel Services $109,247,216.00 $109,374,557.00 $127,341.00 0.12% Classified Employee Salaries $98,635,921.00 $98,439,078.00 -$196,843.00 -0.20% Unclassified Employee Salaries $9,961,294.00 $10,310,479.00 $349,185.00 3.51% Temp/Part Time Salaries $271,065.00 $425,000.00 $153,935.00 56.79% Sub-Teacher Salaries $10,773.00 $200,000.00 $189,227.00 1756.49% Overtime Salaries $166,052.00 $0.00 -$166,052.00 -100.00% Night Differential Compensatio n $2,111.00 $0.00 -$2,111.00 -100.00% Accrued Leave Pay $200,000.00 $0.00 -$200,000.00 -100.00% Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 7 Fringe Benefits Fringe Benefits represent a substantial and largely non-negotiable component of our budget, directly tied to the well-being and retention of our personnel. For Fiscal Year 2027, the recommended budget allocates $60,408,720 to cover these essential costs. This reflects a critical $5,379,779 increase, or 9.78%, over the FY 2026 allocation of $55,028,940.86 (as detailed in Table 3 below). This structural growth is the direct mathematical consequence of the personnel commitments outlined previously. As we sustain collectively bargained salary adjustments and maintain the formal alignment of our payroll entries within local appropriations, our mandatory employer's fringe pairs must shift accordingly. Compounding this operational reality is a massive territory-wide escalation in Health Insurance Premiums. Fringe benefits collectively account for approximately 32.36% of VIDE’s total recommended FY 2027 budget, highlighting their immense significance in our structural financial planning. This comprehensive allocation directly secures resources across all mandatory statutory categories. It ensures that our legal obligations for Employer Contributions to Retirement (GERS) are fully resourced to precisely match our active, base salary lines. It also fully absorbs the adjusted Health Insurance Premiums to guarantee continuous medical coverage continuity for our workforce, alongside mandatory contributions for Social Security, Medicare, and required Workers' Compensation premiums. Table 3 Summary of Fringe Benefits Budget Comparison (FY2026 vs. FY2027) Budget Category FY 2026 FY 2027 Variance ($) Variance (%) Fringe Benefits $55,028,941.00 $60,408,720.00 $5,379,779.14 9.78% Fringe Benefits $9,450.00 $0.00 -$9,450.00 -100.00% Employer Contributions to Retirement $23,261,835.00 $24,220,652.00 $958,817.00 4.12% Social Security $7,126,329.00 $6,765,346.00 -$360,982.86 -5.07% Medicare $1,559,113.00 $1,585,928.00 $26,815.00 1.72% Health Insurance Premiums $22,393,330.00 $27,537,155.00 $5,143,825.00 22.97% Unemployment Insurance Contributions $1,206.00 $0.00 -$1,206.00 -100.00% Workers Compensation Premiums $677,678.00 $299,639.00 -$378,039.00 -55.78% Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 8 Supplies For Fiscal Year 2026, the recommended budget allocates $1,302,754 for critical materials and supplies, representing approximately 0.70% of our total recommended budget (as detailed in Table 4 below). This allocation remains vital for sustaining the basic daily operations of our schools and administrative offices throughout the territory. Overall, the FY 2027 recommended budget for supplies reflects a net reduction of $111,037.00 or 7.85%, compared to the FY 2026 funding level of $1,413,791. This compression demonstrates aggressive internal cost-management, highlighted by the complete elimination of locally funded Office Supplies down to $0.00 (a 100% reduction) and a significant 47.43% reduction in Operating Supplies to $395,485.00. These steep rollbacks show that VIDE is trimming its administrative footprint wherever possible to prioritize core functionality. Conversely, the budget incorporates targeted local entries to absorb recurring operational realities that can no longer depend on expiring federal streams. This includes a major software localization investment of $473,983.00 for Data Processing Software to secure infrastructure essentials, alongside $279,786.00 for Vehicle Supplies to fund fuel, tires, and batteries for our operational fleets. The budget also requests $143,500.00 for Food & Catering to support essential departmental functions and programs managed by the School Food Authority, alongside $10,000.00 for immediate Repair and Maintenance Supplies. Crucially, as the largest department in the government, sustaining these essential supply lines represents an unavoidable, recurring operational necessity. Managing these baseline expenditures within our designated local ceiling requires continuous evaluation of our procurement strategies and precise resource alignment. Maintaining sufficient funding for these core infrastructure inputs is vital to ensure our districts and schools remain fully functional, protecting classroom instruction and daily school operations from administrative disruption. Table 4 Summary of Supplies Budget Comparison (FY2026 vs. FY2027) Budget Category FY 2026 FY 2027 Variance ($) Variance (%) Supplies $1,413,791.0 0 $1,302,754.00 -$111,037.00 -7.85% Office Supplies $538,500.00 $0.00 -$538,500.00 -100.00% Operating Supplies $752,261.00 $395,485.00 -$356,776.00 -47.43% Vehicle Supplies $0.00 $279,786.00 $279,786.00 100.00% Repair and Maintenance Supplies $0.00 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 100.00% Food & Catering $123,030.00 $143,500.00 $20,470.00 16.64% Data Processing Software $0.00 $473,983.00 $473,983.00 100.00% Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 9 Other Services The recommended Fiscal Year 2027 budget for Other Services stands at $7,861,964, representing a $499,645.54 decrease, or 5.98% reduction, from the FY 2026 baseline funding level of $8,361,609.54 (as detailed in Table 5 below). This budget category encompasses a broad range of fixed operational costs for the Department and accounts for approximately 4.21% of the total recommended FY 2027 General Fund budget. While there is an overall decrease across the macro category, this budget reflects critical internal shifts to absorb mandatory and recurring local obligations. A significant driver is the dramatic escalation in Rental of Land/Buildings to $587,600 from $50,579.00, reflecting a nearly 1,061.75% increase. This substantial shift is a direct consequence of transitioning previously non-federally funded rental costs for essential facilities back into local appropriations, which explicitly funds our core leases at the Tutu Park Mall ($240,852.00), Crown Bay ($286,748.00), and Lindon Corporation ($60,000.00). To support baseline logistics and department-wide administration, the budget also establishes dedicated lines for Automotive Repair and Maintenance at $128,150.00 to service our fleet, alongside $127,000.00 for Rental of Machines and Equipment to secure vital territory-wide Xerox copier contracts. Within this category, Professional Services remains our largest single driver at $6,335,993.00, representing a highly disciplined $1,156,781.54, or 15.44% contract compression from the previous year. To remain perfectly aligned with the territory's macro fiscal goals, VIDE has meticulously streamlined this line to focus strictly on core, non- Discretionary mandates. This allocation is almost entirely dedicated to safeguarding student transportation, anchoring our major pupil busing contracts with Abramson Enterprises ($2,589,472.91) and School Busing Inc. ($2,500,000.00), alongside inter- island transit through Varlack Auto, Varlack Ventures, and Transportation Services of St. John. By prioritizing these fixed transit commitments, required bus liability insurance ($190,000.00), and foundational network infrastructure agreements, VIDE is maximizing the efficiency of every local dollar. Operating within this lean ceiling will require exceptionally tight oversight, but it underscores our commitment to fiscal responsibility while protecting essential classroom support. Communication costs are maintained completely flat at $299,000, serving as a vital fixed asset for maintaining territory-wide network and data connectivity. Other Services Not Otherwise Classified (NOC) has been reduced by 38.61% to $295,141.00, yet it continues to capture indispensable operational pipelines. This includes a $100,000.00 contingency pool for the Commissioner’s operational credit card replenishment via U.S. National Bank Association, funding for international teacher recruitment through the SEVIS Visa Exchange Program and H1-B employee visa reimbursements ($27,982.00 combined), and localized shipping and emergency maintenance. This line also protects core allocations for our internal bar association training, mandatory staff travel at $33,000.00, Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 10 bulk airline ticket purchases at $22,580.00, and newly itemized Membership Dues of $27,900.00 to keep the department aligned with national educational councils and standards. While these allocations address lean operational realities, the Department faces the continuous challenge of aggressively managing resources to satisfy all essential, mandated obligations. This budget demands continuous evaluation of our external vendor footprints and precise internal adjustments to ensure uninterrupted service delivery across both districts. Table 5 Summary of Other Services Budget Comparison for (FY2026 vs. FY2027) Budget Category FY 2026 FY 2027 Variance ($) Variance (%) Other Services $8,361,609.54 $7,861,964.00 -$499,645.54 -5.98% Automotive Repair & Maintenance $0.00 $128,150.00 $128,150.00 100.00% Rental of Land/Buildings $50,579.00 $587,600.00 $537,021.00 1061.75% Rental Machines/Equipment $0.00 $127,000.00 $127,000.00 100.00% Professional Services $7,492,774.54 $6,335,993.00 -$1,156,781.54 -15.44% Training $0.00 $1,600.00 $1,600.00 100.00% Communication $299,000.00 $299,000.00 $0.00 0.00% Transportation - Not Travel $0.00 $4,000.00 $4,000.00 100.00% Travel $38,500.00 $33,000.00 -$5,500.00 -14.29% Purchase Bulk Airline Tickets $0.00 $22,580.00 $22,580.00 100.00% Other Services NOC $480,756.00 $295,141.00 -$185,615.00 -38.61% Membership Dues $0.00 $27,900.00 $27,900.00 100.00% Utilities The recommended Fiscal Year 2027 budget allocates $7,500,000.00 for utilities, representing 4.02% of our total recommended General Fund budget (see Table 6 below). This allocation is fundamental for sustaining essential operational infrastructure across all VIDE facilities, from active classrooms to vital administrative offices. Notably, this funding level remains completely flat compared to the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriation. This baseline allocation is carefully managed to absorb the unavoidable utility consumption driven by daily school operations territory-wide. Our school food operations demand constant power for kitchens and cold storage walk-ins to guarantee student Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 11 nutrition programs run without interruption. Additionally, maintaining optimal learning environments for our students requires consistent climate control across our facilities, while our expansive territory-wide IT infrastructure requires continuous power to protect the servers and network equipment supporting modern digital educational delivery. Managing these non-discretionary utility obligations within a flat funding framework underscores VIDE's ongoing commitment to internal operational efficiency while ensuring entirely uninterrupted services for our students. Table 6 Summary of Utilities Budget Comparison (FY2026 vs. FY2027) Budget Category FY 2026 FY 2027 Variance ($) Variance (%) Utilities $8,500,000.00 $7,500,000.00 $0.00 0.00% Electricity $ 7,000,000.00 $ 6,000,000.00 $0.00 0.00% Water $ 1,500,000.00 $ 1,500,000.00 $0.00 0.00% Capital Projects The recommended Fiscal Year 2027 budget for Capital Projects allocates $243,696.00 to address critical, technology-driven infrastructure needs across the Department, as detailed in Table 7 below. This targeted allocation represents approximately 0.13% of VIDE's total recommended General Fund budget and is entirely dedicated to Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements (SBITA). Securing these baseline funds is an essential component of our modernization efforts, ensuring our workforce maintains access to the core digital tools required to manage daily school and administrative operations territory-wide. Specifically, this allocation is leveraged to support our enterprise-wide Microsoft Office licenses via Software One. VIDE is proactively managing and optimizing its user accounts to align perfectly within the designated $243,696.00 allocation. By closely monitoring active credentials and driving internal procurement efficiencies, the Department is maximizing the impact of every local dollar, safeguarding our essential digital communication networks, and ensuring uninterrupted productivity for our educators and staff without exceeding our fiscal framework. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 12 Table 7 Summary of Capital Projects Budget Comparison (FY2026 vs. FY2027) Budget Category FY 2026 FY 2027 Variance ($) Variance (%) Capital Projects $0.00 $243,696.00 $243,696.00 100.00% Subscription -Based Info Tech (SBITA) $0.00 $243,696.00 $243,696.00 100.00% Miscellaneous For Fiscal Year 2026, $0 is budgeted for Miscellaneous General Fund activities under the Department’s recommended allocation (see Table 8 below). This represents a complete elimination of local funding, reflecting a $230,000.00 decrease, or 100% reduction, from the FY 2026 baseline allocation. This strategic tightening of our local footprint is a direct consequence of meticulously prioritizing our core, non-discretionary personnel commitments and mandatory facility operations to keep our school districts functional within our defined fiscal parameters. This budget shift zero-outs local General Fund support across several long-standing student and community initiatives, specifically defunding the Continuing Adult-Ed Scholarship, Interscholastic Sports, and the Interscholastic Athletic Association (IAA) Athletic Program. While managing under this flat framework requires difficult trade-offs for our extracurricular and scholarship systems, it reflects VIDE's disciplined commitment to balancing the territory's macro fiscal demands. To insulate our students from operational gaps, the Department is proactively exploring alternative, non-General Fund resource pipelines and strategic partnerships to sustain these essential athletic and educational activities. Table 8 Summary of Miscellaneous Budget Comparison ( FY2026 vs. FY2027) FY 2026 FY 2027 VAR ($) VAR (%) Miscellaneous $230,000.00 $0.00 -$230,000.00 -100% Continuing Adult-Ed Scholarship - MI111 $5,000.00 $0.00 -$5,000.00 -100% Interscholastic Sports - M1923 $125,000.00 $0.00 -$125,000.00 -100% Interscholastic Athletic Association (IAA) Athletic Program – Equal Division - M1922 100,000.00 $0.00 -$100,000.00 -100% Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 13 Staffing Summary The department has a staffing level of 2,034 active employees (see table 10); 1,980 classified positions and 154 exempt positions to serve the enrolled 10,312 students. As of June 03, 2025, the Department has received a total of one hundred-twenty-two (122 separations. Twenty-eight (28) retirement and thirty-one (31) resignation letters in the St. Croix District of which twenty-six (26) are teachers, and one (1) nurse. Fourteen (14) retirement and thirty-three (33) resignation letters were received in the St. Thomas-St. John District of which seventeen (17) are teachers, one (1) nurse and four (4) administrators. Additionally, the department has received a total of thirty-five (35) intent to not return for the upcoming school year. Of that number,12 are teachers in the St. Croix district and 10 teachers in the St. Thomas/St. John District. As of August 1, 2026, 257 employees will be eligible for retirement, of which twenty-four (24) are administrators, (23) paraprofessionals and (123) teachers’ territory wide. Table 10 Employee Count by Class Employee Count as of 5/30/2026 Class STTJ STX Grand Total Administrators 49 53 102 Counselors 20 22 42 JROTC Teachers 8 3 11 Librarian 6 9 15 Nurses 5 7 12 Other Support Staff 314 286 600 Paraprofessionals 110 144 254 School Monitors 46 59 105 Teachers 417 422 839 Grand Total 975 1005 1980 Table 11 Personnel Funding Federal vs General as of 5/30/2026 Funding STTJ STX Grand Total FED 74 19 93 GEN 1488 399 1887 Grand Total 1562 418 1980 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 14 Table 12 Separations by Class Separations 08/1/2024 to 5/30/2025 Row Labels STTJ STX Grand Total Administrators 4 0 4 Counselors 4 5 9 JROTC Teachers 0 2 2 Nurses 1 1 2 Other Support Staff 20 20 40 Paraprofessionals 3 10 13 School Monitors 3 6 9 Teachers 17 26 40 Grand Total 52 70 122 Table 13 Separations by Action Separations 08/1/2024 to 6/3/2025 Action STTJ STX Grand Total APPOINTMENT END 5 5 DECEASED 1 2 3 RESIGNATION 36 30 66 RETIREMENT 21 29 50 Grand Total 58 66 124 Table 14 Eligible for Retirement Class Eligible % Administrators 24 78 102 30.8% Counselors 9 33 42 27.3% JROTC Teachers 4 7 11 57.1% Librarian 4 11 15 36.4% Nurses 1 11 12 9.1% Other Support Staff 63 537 600 11.7% Paraprofessionals 23 231 254 10.0% School Monitors 6 99 105 6.1% Teachers 123 716 839 17.2% Grand Total 257 1723 1980 15% Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 15 Table 15 Certification Teacher Certification Status Island STTJ STX Grand Total Conditional/ Initial Certification or Full Certification 223 196 419 Expired Conditional or Not Certified 194 226 420 Grand Total 417 422 839 Administrator Certification Status Island STTJ STX Grand Total Conditional/ Initial Certification or Full Certification 28 25 53 Expired Conditional or Not Certified 21 28 49 Grand Total 49 53 102 Like many school districts across the nation, the Virgin Islands Department of Education continues to face significant challenges in filling critical teaching positions. National data currently indicates there are approximately 42,000 teaching vacancies across the nation, an increase of 6,000 reported at last year’s Model Schools Conference. The Office of Human Resources and District leadership conducted a series of interviews throughout the month of May of teaching applicants who met the Virgin Islands Board of Education certification requirements. As a result of this coordinated effort, fifty-one (51) qualified candidates have been selected to begin teaching in the 2026/2027 school year. Of those numbers, twenty-one (21) are locals in the St. Thomas/St. John district and eight (8) in the St. Croix district. See table 15 with a breakdown of district and subject areas. Table 16 2026-2027 New Hires (as of June 3, 2026) New Hires Subject Area STTJ STX Grand Total ESL 0 0 0 Elementary Education 8 7 15 Math 3 4 7 English 1 2 3 Science 0 0 0 Agriculture 0 0 0 Biology 0 0 0 Foreign Language 0 1 1 Physical Education 2 2 4 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 16 Nurse 1 0 1 Vocational Education 0 2 2 Music 1 0 1 Special Education 1 7 8 Librarian 0 0 0 Social Studies 4 1 5 Grand Total 34 17 51 Additionally, to address some of our teacher shortages, the department has begun our “Grow Your Own” Initiative in partnership with the Department of Labor, University of the Virgin Islands and the Governor’s Office. This initiative targeted paraprofessionals in both districts who have expressed their interest in becoming teachers. The initiative has yielded a total of 20 paraprofessionals;13 in the St. Croix district and 7 in the St. Thomas/ St. John District who are slated to begin online courses in Fall of 2025. School Meal Programs The School Food Authority (SFA) in both school districts and the State Office of Special Nutrition Programs (SNP) remain dedicated to providing our students with nutritious, well- balanced meals in accordance with guidelines and requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). We are actively exploring innovative approaches to meal preparation and presentation such as dehydrogenated foods that will last longer and allow for diversity and inclusion of cultural infused foods. By partnering with local farmers and revitalizing our school gardens, we now offer locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables in our salad bars in all high schools with plans for expansion to all middle and elementary schools. Ensuring our staff receive adequate training, and support is a top priority. All food service personnel in the St. Croix District are SERV Safe certified; 87 percent of food service personnel in the St. Thomas-St. John District are SERV Safe Certified and 100 percent certification will be fulfilled by the end of this calendar year. SERV Safe certification is a USDA mandate. We continue to realize a decrease in student participation territory-wide, which has impacted the total reimbursements earned. Decrease in participation is due to reduced public school enrollment; competing school food/snacks sales; student dislike of USDA- mandated menu items such as whole grain (brown) rice, pasta, etc. To ensure that we increase participation while receiving no disallowed meals, continued monitoring and support will be provided to all food service staff, as well as improvements to menu planning will be made to ensure that all commodities needed to fulfill the menus are available to our schools. Work efforts with the school food authorities will remain a priority for the Special Nutrition Program. Table 17 outlines the monthly reimbursable meals served by the STT/STJ and STX School Food Authorities, along with total reimbursements for the 2025-2026 school year. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 17 Table 16 School Lunch Meals and Earnings Report St. Thomas/St. John - SY 2025-2026 Breakfast Lunch Snack Meal Total Total Earnings August 25 12,869 27,613 0 40,482 $184,844.10 September 25 22,767 44,350 0 67,117 $303,717.80 October 25 24,802 52,251 0 77,053 $252,941.67 November 25 22,442 47,527 0 69,969 $319,105.92 December25 15,050 31,815 0 46,865 $213,702.51 January 26 18,037 42,122 0 60,159 $276,786.83 February 26 17948 40308 0 58256 $267,105.44 March 26 7,705 13,204 739 21,648 $94,651.01 April 26 5,395 9,468 0 14,863 $66,577.71 May 26 10326 18,182 0 28,508 $127,743.49 Total 159,439 326,748 739 486,926 $2,113,522.53 St. Croix - SY 2025-2026 Breakfast Lunch Snack Meal Total Total Earnings August 25 11,408 23,178 0 34,586 $165,936.44 September 25 19,811 41,586 0 61,397 $295,463.59 October 25 25,462 48,913 0 74,375 $354,934.94 November 25 14,374 29,788 2,064 46,226 $215,653.98 December 25 13,237 25,220 1,632 40,089 $186,058.25 January 26 18,564 35,185 2,177 55,926 $259,743.55 February 26 21,123 37,896 3,681 62,700 $285,817.18 March 26 22,938 43,261 3,105 69,304 $320,446.99 April 26 5,460 30,963 0 36,423 $188,106.79 May 26 1182 22,219 0 0 $125.597.77 Total 153,559 338,209 12,659 504,427 $2,397,759.48 Federal Grants The Department continues to manage a massive and highly complex federal portfolio comprised of 23 active grants totaling $33,773,219.10. This dual-agency funding structure is evenly divided between 6 grants from the United States Department of Education (USDE) totaling $28,558,558.62, 16 grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), totaling $5,139,660.48, 1 from United States Department of Labor totaling $75,000.00. This critical resource framework anchors our Consolidated Grant (CG), Special Education (IDEA), and Adult Education (AE) programs, while the USDA lines fully sustain our territory-wide student nutrition programs. These include the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Child and Adult Care Program (CACFP), Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 18 Summer Food Services Program (SFSP), and vital equipment and fresh fruit initiatives. For the upcoming cycle, the Department anticipates managing a comparable volume of reimbursable program funds, creating a continuous operational requirement for rigorous administrative oversight. Sustaining a portfolio of this magnitude presents clear, systemic challenges that directly impact the drawdown of velocity. Global supply chain volatility and localized market constraints frequently trigger unexpected price hikes, forcing the Department into mandatory, time-consuming federal budget modifications before funds can be released. This friction is compounded by a historically lengthy federal revision process. While VIDE has aggressively worked to minimize the volume of revision requests sent to federal partners, shifts remain unavoidable due to external market factors. Structural personnel vacancies across the territory naturally yield personnel savings that must be reprogrammed, and general vendor scarcity—marked by delivery delays, sudden order cancellations, or a complete lack of registered bidders—frequently forces us to reallocate funds across different budget categories to prevent funding lapses. In response to these operational bottlenecks, the Department has shifted its approach away from tracking mere activity levels and toward securing definitive, strategic outcomes. Central to this stabilization effort was the implementation of our Integrated Fiscal Control Model for the Office of Federal Grants. This framework establishes an uncompromising standard of internal accountability. Program leads are now under strict mandates to manage via data-driven Weekly Grant Status Reports and actionable weekly spending plans. These tools mandate a clear, forward-looking roadmap mapping out precise remaining balances, intended vendor outcomes, and projected obligation timelines. Furthermore, by establishing our vetted staffing lists as the final authority for personnel grant charges, we have eliminated historical entry errors and streamlined the reimbursement pipeline. In addition to setting dates for the encumbrances and liquidation of expiring grant funding with clear accountability measures. Our North Star remains the absolute preservation and optimization of every single federal dollar awarded to the children of the Virgin Islands. With major grant deadlines looming each September 30th, the Department has established an ongoing, cross- functional "war room" posture to aggressively accelerate liquidations, clear processing queues, and maximize fund deployment. Managing this portfolio in a tightening federal landscape requires continuous vigilance, but with all boots firmly on the ground, VIDE is systematically dismantling administrative delays to ensure these vital resources directly impact classroom instruction and student well-being. The VIDE has successfully submitted the FY26 grant application, which includes a 3-year plan with measurable outcomes to USDE for final approval. The goal that we continue to strive for is to get our department to a place where we encumber and liquidate in the same year an award is made. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 19 Figure 2 Active Grants Expiring September 30, 2026 Organizational Section Mission & Vision The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) workforce remains committed to fostering an educational landscape where every student thrives in a safe, nurturing environment. We don’t take this calling lightly as it is our duty to ensure that each student is equipped with the skills necessary to live successful lives Historically over decades, the Department has been functioning as a system of schools, each district focusing on it’s own resources, pedogical skills and professional development plans. While the districts may look different and needs may vary from school to school, it was imperitive that we move towards rebuilding a school system where there is more collaboration and synergy among districts and schools which allows for the maximizing of local and federal funding. Our vision, "Transforming today’s learners into tomorrow’s leaders," encapsulates our dedication to cultivating the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for our students to excel and lead in the evolving world. Over the past two years, we have worked to lay the foundation for the department through alignment of resources, trainings and implementation of instructional methods territory-wide. Through innovative teaching strategies and a compassionate approach, VIDE is not just preparing students for the future; we are shaping the future leaders of tomorrow. Strategic Priorities The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) has outlined a forward-thinking strategic plan for 2022-2027, emphasizing four key priorities to enhance the educational landscape. First, Quality Schools are at the forefront, aiming to provide high-standard educational facilities and resources that foster an optimal learning environment for students. Second, an Effective Education System is crucial, focusing on streamlining administrative processes, adopting innovative teaching methodologies, and ensuring that educators are well-supported and professionally developed. Third, Engaged Families are recognized as vital partners in the educational journey, with initiatives designed to strengthen family involvement in school activities and student learning. Lastly, a Supportive Community underscores the importance of collaborative efforts with local Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 20 organizations, businesses, and stakeholders to create a nurturing and inclusive environment that benefits all students. This comprehensive strategy is designed to ensure that every student in the Virgin Islands receives a high-quality education, paving the way for their future success. Student Data Public school enrollment in the U.S. Virgin Islands has experienced a significant decline over the past decade, decreasing from 13,758 students in school year 2015–2016 to 10,297 students in 2025–2026, a reduction of 3,461 students, or approximately 25.2 percent. The most substantial decreases occurred between 2016–2017 and 2018–2019, when enrollment fell by nearly 2,500 students. Since 2019–2020, however, enrollment has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between approximately 10,100 and 11,000 students annually. At the district level, both St. Thomas/St. John (STTJ) and St. Croix (STX) experienced similar enrollment trends. STTJ enrollment declined from 7,207 students in 2015–2016 to 5,292 students in 2025–2026, representing a decrease of 26.6 percent. After reaching a low of 5,094 students in 2022–2023, the district has shown modest growth over the last three years. STX enrollment decreased from 6,551 students in 2015–2016 to 5,005 students in 2025–2026, a decline of 23.6 percent. Enrollment in St. Croix has remained relatively steady since 2021–2022, with only minor year-to-year fluctuations. Recent enrollment data indicate that the Territory has entered a period of stabilization. Total enrollment increased slightly from 10,166 students in 2022–2023 to 10,410 students in 2024–2025 before declining modestly to 10,297 students in 2025–2026. St. Thomas/St. John continues to account for a slightly larger share of the Territory’s public-school population, representing approximately 51 percent of total enrollment. Overall, while public school enrollment remains substantially lower than it was a decade ago, the pace of decline has slowed considerably, suggesting that enrollment may be stabilizing at a new baseline of approximately 10,300 students. Table 17 Public Schools Enrollment by Grade (2015-2016 to 2025-2026) 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 25-26 STTJ 7,207 6,893 5,712 5,375 5,415 5,542 5,143 5,094 5,230 5,265 5,292 STX 6,551 6,301 5,487 5,343 5,492 5,451 5,091 5,072 5,082 5,145 5,005 Total 13,758 13,194 11,199 10,718 10,907 10,993 10,234 10,166 10,312 10,410 10,297 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 21 Graduation Rates The U.S. Virgin Islands has demonstrated notable improvements in high school graduation rates over the past decade, particularly during the most recent five-year period. In the St. Croix District (STX), the graduation rate increased from 77.8 percent in school year 2015–2016 to 87.3 percent in 2024–2025, representing an overall gain of 9.5 percentage points. Although the district experienced declines during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, graduation rates rebounded and have steadily improved since then, reaching the highest rate in the ten-year period during 2024–2025. The St. Thomas/St. John District (STTJ) also showed substantial progress over the same period. Graduation rates increased from 71.6 percent in 2015–2016 to 80.6 percent in 2024–2025, an improvement of 9.0 percentage points. Following a low point of 55.5 percent in 2017–2018, the district has demonstrated consistent year-over-year gains, increasing by more than 25 percentage points over the subsequent seven years. Both districts have exhibited strong upward trends since 2020–2021, with graduation rates steadily increasing and reaching their highest levels in recent years. While STX has consistently maintained higher graduation rates than STTJ throughout the reporting period, the gap between the two districts has narrowed as STTJ has made significant gains. Overall, the data indicate continued progress in student achievement and successful efforts to improve high school completion rates across the Territory. Table 18 SY 2015-2016 to 2024-2025 Graduation Rates 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 STX District 77.8 82.9 70.1 69.8 81.9 77.3 76.6 79.5 83.0 87.3 STTJ District 71.6 69.3 55.5 57.1 60.2 66.5 72.1 76.8 79.3 80.6 Virgin Islands 74.6 75.4 62.4 62.6 70.9 71.4 74.4 78.0 81.0 83.9 New Schools Overview The Department of Education with oversight from the Office of Disaster Recovery is moving forward and rebuilding schools. This year we are happy to report that more than half of our projects have been awarded to design-build contractors or construction contracts. We are well on the way to spending $3.5 billion to rebuild schools, and we are applying for additional grants for stormwater mitigation. FEMA has provided funds for prudent replacements and modernizations on St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. It was a long, daunting process to negotiate the funding, but our children are worth it. We are building schools that are worthy of our students' and teachers' talents. The schools will feature flexible classrooms that can be combined to form large lecture halls and Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 22 gathering spaces. The new schools are designed to facilitate team teaching and project- based. We are excited that in a few short years, we will be able to put into practice the guiding principles developed by the New Schools Construction Advisory Board, other stakeholders, and the public at-large. The most important guiding principle of our facility master plan is equity. We developed a footprint of the future that right-sizes our building footprint and ensures that at the end of this multi-billion dollar construction program, every public school child will attend school in a new or modernized facility. We have been busy holding project kick-offs, site walks to orient new architects, engineers, and contractors to our facilities, and participating in workshops to plan for the phasing of the construction work. The first replacement school ribbon cutting will be this year. New Schools Project Highlights New Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 The Department of Education continues to make significant progress in implementing the New Schools capital improvement program. Our next and largest milestone to date will be the opening of the new Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School in August 2026. The design- build contractor and local subcontractor crews are working around the clock on the installation of fixtures, furniture, and equipment as well as landscaping, paving, outdoor play areas and the field. It was very refreshing to see the teaching pool completed and filled with water for use by our students. As part of the VIDE’s comprehensive transition plan, student placements have been finalized, employee transfers have been completed, and parent notifications have been distributed. District leadership and school personnel continue to work diligently to complete the remaining operational, logistical, and instructional tasks necessary to ensure a seamless opening for students, faculty, and staff. To support this effort, the district's transition and facilities teams meet weekly to discuss maintenance planning, operational readiness, building systems, staffing needs, and the coordinated activities required to successfully bring this state-of-the-art facility online. These meetings ensure that all stakeholders remain aligned, and that potential challenges are proactively addressed in advance of occupancy. This project represents a historic milestone for the VIDE and the St. Croix District, as it marks the opening of the first newly constructed school campus territory-wide and for the district of St. Croix in more than thirty years. The Department and the ODR and its consultants worked tirelessly to raise the bar and attain FEMA approval of Industry Standards and bridging documents and estimates to which the schools are being re-built. The VIDE remains committed to ensuring that the new Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School is fully prepared to provide a safe, innovative, and student-centered learning environment from day one. Intensive training on technology, innovation, and building operation and Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 23 maintenance will take place this fall and the contractor will remain engaged during the warranty period to support the facility. Maintenance is expected to cost at least $5.00 per square foot per year. As we approach this momentous occasion, we celebrate this achievement not only as an administration but as an entire community. We included the community from the beginning, before engaging consultants in developing the Facility Master Plan. The opening of the new Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School reflects years of planning, collaboration, and investment in the future of our students. It stands as a testament to our collective commitment to educational excellence and to creating learning environments that will serve generations of students and families for years to come. Charlotte Amalie High School The first contractor demolished buildings "A", "B", and "C" of Charlotte Amalie High School last summer. Upon attaining FEMA EHP clearance for earth moving activities in the areas of just those buildings in February 2025. VIDE staff worked with the contractor to accelerate the destructive portion of the schedule and with work that extended into the evening and weekends and cooperation of the principal and staff, demolition was finished in June 2025. FEMA approved funding based on the bridging documents that were prepared per Industry Standards. The design-build team has been busy taking the bridging documents which were a 30% design and advancing them to the 100% design stage. The design looks good and is faithful to the original concepts. The design-build contractor has been mobilized to begin working. FEMA authorized earth moving activities for the remainder of the campus earlier this year. The first phase is the construction of two 3-story academic buildings which along with the Wheatley 9th Grade Center have the capacity to house the current student body, and the new administration building, cafeteria, auditorium, and gymnasium. The final phase will be the construction of the third 3-story building, the track and field with additional parking. Bertha C. Boschulte PreK-8 The Department of Property and Procurement selected the same design-build team that is re-building Charlotte Amalie High School to modernize the Bertha C. Boschulte PreK- 8 School. FEMA has authorized the modernization so the way is clear for construction to begin. Early construction packages orders for long-lead items are being prepared to enable execution of the work in phases. Some minor work has begun and technology and furniture are on order. Once VIDE receives a grant from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), the contractor will build the Safe Room. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 24 New Julius E. Sprauve PreK-12 The design of the New Julius E. Sprauve PreK-12 School has been approved by FEMA and were reviewed by the St. John Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Committee for a Federal Consistence Determination. The VIDE is working with DPP and the VIHA to acquire land diagonally across the street from the site for development into a ball field. The school will contain all the Industry Standard features with foundations that minimize site disturbance. Historic areas of the site will not be disturbed. New Central High School The community recently joined us to celebrate at the St. Croix Central High School Groundbreaking Ceremony. This milestone marked the start of construction even though the design is still in progress. The project has officially transitioned from planning and design to visible implementation. The demolition of the Gymnasium is underway on the south side of the property, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter for public education in the St. Croix District. The new St. Croix Central High School will be the second newly built school campus in the district. Upon completion of the new academic buildings, students, faculty, and staff will transition into the facility, allowing for the final phase of the project to commence. This phase will include the demolition of the remaining existing structures and the development of new athletic fields and recreational spaces. St. Croix Educational Complex- Modernization The design firm is separate from the construction firm and is preparing the design in stages and has issued drawings for Building 1. Since this is an existing building, VIDE staff who know the building systems and trouble spots are working hand in hand with the design team and the contractor to develop scopes and resolve issues in the field. Orders for long-lead items are being prepared to enable execution of the work in phases. Some minor work has begun and technology and furniture are on order. Once VIDE receives a grant from the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), the contractor will build the Safe Room. Bundled Schools on St. Thomas and St. Croix The ODR has selected a design-build team to design and deliver 11 facilities across both districts. VIDE has bridging documents which are 30% designs in hand for Markoe, Henderson and Lockhart, and 30% designs are in progress for the remaining facilities which are Andrews, Larsen, St. Croix Administration Center, Bowsky, Oliver, Tuitt, Kean HS, and St. Thomas Administration Center. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 25 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 26 Conclusion Collectively, the projects represent a significant investment in the future of our students, educators, and community – providing state-of-the-art learning environments designed to support twenty-first-century teaching and learning. Together, these improvements will support academic excellence, social and emotional learning, career and technical education, and student well-being while strengthening opportunities for athletics, extracurricular activities, and community engagement. As this is a budget hearing, I would be remiss if I did not ask for your assistance in earmarking half of the salary reimbursements that are made by FEMA for the Disaster Recovery staff working on VIDE projects to be placed in a special fund for use in supporting the projects. This will enable timely payment of certain expenses many of which can be reimbursed upon FEMA approval which takes time. Anything we can do to save time will ultimately result in saving costs and maximizing what we can achieve. VIDE remains committed to ensuring that each project is completed successfully and implements our collective vision of igniting innovation and elevating excellence for generations to come. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 27 If we truly believe that our children are our greatest investment, then education must be treated not as an afterthought but as the foundation of our future. Budgets are statements of priority, and right now, our students are asking us to show them that they matter. I urge you—do not delay, do not diminish, and do not divert the opportunity to give them the resources they deserve. Prioritize education. Fund our future. Let this budget reflect the courage to invest boldly in the next generation. Thank you for this opportunity to discuss the needs of our department. My team and I stand ready to answer any questions regarding my testimony and provide additional information or clarification as needed. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 28 Addendum A: Expenditures Addendum B: Contracts Please see the attached Excel spreadsheet. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 30 Addendum C: Disallowed Meals Aug-24 15,746 0 0 15,746 38,079 0 0 38,079 53,825 219,673.01 $ Sep-24 24,413 0 0 24,413 54,350 0 0 54,350 78,763 326,098.63 $ Oct-24 25,475 0 0 25,475 55,502 0 0 55,502 80,977 324,536.08 $ Nov-24 19,379 0 0 19,379 48,970 0 0 48,970 68,349 290,141.15 $ Dec-24 15,027 0 0 15,027 31,574 0 0 31,574 46,601 204,697.52 $ Jan-25 18,015 0 0 18,015 42,482 0 0 42,482 60,497 268,512.71 $ Feb-25 21,122 0 0 21,122 45,116 0 0 45,116 66,238 291,392.21 $ Mar-25 24,152 0 0 24,152 48,010 0 0 48,010 72,162 315,337.84 $ Apr-25 20,616 -8,970 0 11,646 41,203 -17,928 0 23,275 34,921 152,675.51 $ May-25 11,968 -129 -7,097 4,742 25,880 -727 -17,057 8,096 12,838 55,271.65 $ . Grand Total 195,913 -9,099 -7,097 179,717 431,166 -18,655 -17,057 395,454 575,171 2,448,336.31 $ Aug-24 0.00 0.00 Aug-24 0.00 0.00 Sep-24 0.00 0.00 Sep-24 0.00 0.00 Oct-24 0.00 0.00 Oct-24 0.00 0.00 Nov-24 0.00 0.00 Nov-24 0.00 0.00 Dec-24 0.00 0.00 Dec-24 0.00 0.00 Jan-25 0.00 0.00 Jan-25 0.00 0.00 Feb-25 0.00 0.00 Feb-25 0.00 0.00 Mar-25 0.00 0.00 Mar-25 0.00 0.00 Apr-25 -28,110.66 0.00 Apr-25 -85,860.40 0.00 May-25 -404.27 -22,240.04 May-25 -3,630.67 -85,142.66 Grant Total -28,514.93 -22,240.04 Grant Total -89,491.07 -85,142.66 SY 24/25 District Earnings St. Thomas/ St. John District Month Breakfasts Served Breakfasts Disallowed by State Total Reimbursabl e Meals Lunches Served Lunches Disallowed by SFA Breakfasts Disallowed by SFA Combined Meal Totals Total Earnings less Disallowances Lunches Disallowed by State Total Reimbursable Meals Total Cost of Breakfast Disallowances Total Cost of Lunch Disallowances Month SFA Disallowed Funds State Disallowed Funds Month SFA Disallowed Funds State Disallowed Funds Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 31 Aug-24 18,517 -352 0 18,165 37,710 -195 0 37,515 55,680 255,956.01 $ Sep-24 28,392 -688 0 27,704 52,523 -1,315 0 51,208 78,912 357,590.07 $ Oct-24 25,170 -3,393 0 21,777 48,897 -5,777 0 43,120 64,897 277,945.15 $ Nov-24 19,028 8 0 19,036 38,601 -2 0 38,599 57,635 266,055.95 $ Dec-24 14,786 0 0 14,786 28,862 0 0 28,862 43,648 200,226.67 $ Jan-25 20,944 0 0 20,944 40,046 0 0 40,046 60,990 280,393.81 $ Feb-25 24,108 0 0 24,108 45,762 -365 0 45,397 69,505 319,067.99 $ Mar-25 26,541 0 0 26,541 46,656 0 0 46,656 73,197 333,744.76 $ Apr-25 19,891 -46 0 19,845 37,349 0 0 37,349 57,194 262,539.66 $ May-25 9,080 -3,086 5,994 16,710 -3,865 12,845 18,839 87,549.40 $ 0 0 0 Grand Total 206,457 -4,471 -3,086 198,900 393,116 -7,654 -3,865 396,981 580,497 2,641,069.47 $ Aug-24 -1,164.64 0.00 Aug-24 -1,030.03 0.00 Sep-24 -2,273.74 0.00 Sep-24 -6,932.34 0.00 Oct-24 -11,215.29 0.00 Oct-24 -30,461.97 0.00 Nov-24 -26.18 0.00 Nov-24 -11.74 0.00 Dec-24 0.00 0.00 Dec-24 0.00 0.00 Jan-25 0.00 0.00 Jan-25 0.00 0.00 Feb-25 0.00 0.00 Feb-25 -1,923.73 0.00 Mar-25 0.00 0.00 Mar-25 0.00 0.00 Apr-25 -152.92 0.00 Apr-25 0.00 0.00 May-25 0.00 -10,200.06 May-25 0.00 -20,374.31 Grant Total -14,832.77 -10,200.06 Grant Total -40,359.81 -20,374.31 Month SFA Disallowed Funds State Disallowe d Funds Total Cost of Breakfast Disallowances Total Cost of Lunch Disallowances State Disallowed Funds SFA Disallowed Funds Month SY 24-25 District Earnings St. Croix District Month Breakfasts Served Breakfasts Disallowed by State Total Reimbursa ble Meals Lunches Served Lunches Disallowe d by State Combined Meals Totals Total Earnings less Disallowances Breakfasts Disallowed by SFA Lunches Disallowed by SFA Total Reimbursa ble Meals Addendum D: Public Schools Enrollment Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 33 Addendum E1: Public Schools Graduation