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P a g e | 1 Committee on Education and Workforce Development #3022 Estate Golden Rock - Christiansted St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00820 Office: (340) 712-2256 | senatorkurtvialet@legvi.org Facebook.com/ReadyforVialet | Instagram: @ReadyforVialet The Honorable KURT A. VIALET Majority Leader Gloryvee Christian-Krieger Chief of Staff Samanta Prentice Legislative Researcher Janella John Communications Manager COMMITTEE CHAIR Education and Workforce Development COMMITTEE MEMBER Health, Hospitals & Human Services Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure & Planning Housing, Transportation, & Telecommunications Budget, Appropriations and Finance Memorandum TO: Mrs. Kurell A. Sheridan, JD Executive Director 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands FROM: The Honorable Kurt A. Vialet ___________________ Chairman, Committee on Education & Workforce Development DATE: February 7, 2025 RE: Committee Report for Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Meeting _____________________________________________________________ Please find attached the report for the Committee on Education and Workforce Development (EWD) meeting held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix. cc: All Senators Chief Legal Counsel Archive Division Journal Division 36th Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands P a g e | 2 Committee on Education and Workforce Development EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FEBRUARY 5, 2025 - COMMITTEE HEARING REPORT The Committee on Education and Workforce Development convened its hearing on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room, St. Croix. Call to order: Chairman, Senator Kurt A. Vialet called the meeting to order at 9:12 a.m. Committee Members Present: Non-Committee Members Present: Senator Kurt A. Vialet Senator Hubert L. Fredericks Senator Avery L. Lewis Senator Clifford Joseph, Sr. Senator Kenneth L. Gittens Senator Marvin Blyden Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Senator Franklin D. Johnson Senator Milton Potter Senator Marise C. James Senator Alma Francis Heyliger Senator Carla J. Joseph Committee Staff: Gloryvee Christian-Krieger, Chief of Staff Samanta Prentice, Legislative Researcher Protocol officer: Clerk/Timekeeper: Myrna De-Altier-Pickard Janella John, Communications Manager Legal Counsel: Sergeant-At-Arms: Not Assigned Walton Jack, Jr. Legislative Reporters: Public Affairs/ Media: Part I - Joanne Samuel Eustace Brown Part II - Nataya Munoz Alwyn Baptiste, Jr. Part III - Nadine Williams Melissa Gustave Part IV - Tricia D. Sealey Bernard Matthew, Sr. Part V - Vashti Gerald-Berry Diana Cruz Chaunte Herbert Alvin Burke Omari Hicks Kashief Hamilton P a g e | 3 Committee on Education and Workforce Development The committee received testimonies. BLOCK I – VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Invited Testifier: Honorable Dionne Wells-Hedrington, EdD, Commission Commissioner Wells-Hedrington provided insights regarding the status of federal funds, including ARPA, the CARES Act, Consolidated Grants, and Imprest Funds. The Commissioner presented an analysis of student test scores for the 2023-2024 academic year, highlighting an upward trend in English Language Arts (ELA) and Science over the past two academic years. However, math proficiency remains an area of concern. Key statistics included: • Math proficiency: 23.5% of students achieved grade-level proficiency, an increase from 13.1% in earlier years. • Students exceeding the standard: 6.1% compared to 4.0% in the prior year. The meeting also covered strategies that were implemented to address learning loss, entrance and exit exams, mitigation plans for instructional time lost due to severe heat, and updates on afterschool and summer programs. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: • Require summer enrichment for students performing two grades or more below grade level. • Improve student retention guidelines • Develop strategies to enhance participation in Parent University, focusing on parents who would benefit the most • Implement attendance counselors at the elementary level • Provide specialized training for teachers and paraprofessionals working with special needs students • Include special education materials and equipment in grant requests. • Develop a contingency plan for the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education  Support students who are U.S. Citizens with deported parents  Implement Act 8506 to establish school-based emergency medical services Act 8801 to hire a school nurse supervisor per district and school health technicians for every public school in the Territory COMMITTEE REQUESTS: • Report on liquidated damages and breach of contract • Outline the process for contracting services from the school level to the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance • Plans to hire science teachers implement Proximity contract supplement • List per district of schools that are English as a Second Language (ESL) and Special Education sites • Breakdown of test scores by subgroups (ex: English speaking vs ESL students) • Security guard contract and school assignments • Device distribution per school • Status of T-Mobile’s Project 10Million P a g e | 4 Committee on Education and Workforce Development • ARPA funds allocation funding details • Classroom-specific consolidated funds details • List of contracted services, vendors, amounts, and expiration dates • EDA company contributions to the Department BLOCK II – BUREAU OF SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE Invited Testifier: Craig Benjamin, Executive Director Executive Director, Craig Benjamin provided updates on school maintenance and infrastructure, including:  Progress on the Arthur A. Richards School rebuild and Claude O. Markoe Gymnasium  School kitchen equipment installation in the St. Croix district  Electrical upgrades for territorial schools.  Installation of AC units in heat-affected schools  Summer maintenance plans  School-based maintenance reporting process Additionally, mold remediation efforts at John H. Woodson School were discussed. Mold testing is scheduled to take place following reports of mold-like odors in classrooms. On January 30th, mold remediation and deep cleaning were executed in the affected areas. Additional deep cleaning will be implemented biannually for all schools. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: • Develop a stakeholder-accessible project tracking dashboard • Hire additional HVAC personnel for school facilities. • Document project progress with before-and-after images • Review warranty on non-functioning equipment • Request an increase on imprest account • Assign a groundskeeper to each school under the principal’s supervision COMMITTEE REQUESTS: • Deadlines for ARPA Funding Projects • Detailed report on the Crosswalk Initiative • Updates on CTEC repairs • Revised electrical upgrades plans • Cost breakdown of ongoing projects • Location confirmation of two zero-turn mowers purchased for the St. Croix Educational Complex and Central High Schools • Status on Alexander Henderson School • Comprehensive list of modifications to the Arthur A. Richards school rebuild completion percentage • Liquidated damage clauses for new school contracts • Updates on CTEC repairs provided by Custom Builders P a g e | 5 Committee on Education and Workforce Development Adjournment: Chairman, Senator Kurt A. Vialet adjourned the Committee on Education and Workforce Development hearing at 4:52 p.m.