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PERMANENT CLOSURE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS BILL HELD IN COMMITTEE - Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands Close About Us History Functions and Structure FY 2026 Budget Honor Roll Rules of the 36th Legislative Youth Advisory Council Application Careers Archives Legislative Archives Tours × St. Thomas Senators  St. John Senators  St.Croix Senators  Districts All Senators St. Croix St. Thomas - St. John Senator at Large × Committees Committee of the Whole Budget, Appropriation and Finance Culture, Youth, Aging, Sports, and Parks Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning Economic Development and Agriculture Education and Workforce Development Government Operations, Veteran Affairs and Consumer Protection Health, Hospitals and Human Services Homeland Security, Justice and Public Safety Housing, Transportation and Telecommunications Rules and Judiciary Session Folder × No event found! Calendars Bi-Weekly Senate Calendar Session Agenda × Dialog window Dialog window General Senators Committees Media Calendars Contact News | Press Releases PERMANENT CLOSURE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS BILL HELD IN COMMITTEE Published: Nov 17, 2020 Search for: ST. CROIX–The Committee on Education and Workforce Development, chaired by Senator Donna Frett-Gregory, continued to meet Tuesday afternoon in the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Chambers on St. Croix to receive testimony on  Bill No.33-0239, an Act amending the V.I. Code relating to the permanent closure of public schools. Senator Myron Jackson sponsored the measure. Racquel Berry-Benjamin, Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE), said the Bill gives the Board of Education the authority to recommend a public school’s permanent closure. It also provides that the Commissioner of Education must consult with the Board of Education before making a final decision to close a public school and that before the closure of any school, the Board of Education and VIDE must provide testimony to the Legislature on the condition of the school, the reasons for the closure, and the future use if any. According to her, VIDE supports the Bill, as it sees no harm with its intent to ensure all parties are privy to the Department’s reason(s) for the closure of a public school before such a decision is made. Testimony from Chairwoman Arah Lockhart of the V.I. Board of Education was read into the record, thanking Sen. Jackson for including them in the decision-making process related to permanent school closures. In her testimony, she indicated the Board is tasked with providing the Governor and the Senate with a School Plant and Facilities Management Report annually. This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the Territory’s public schools. The Board welcomes any opportunity to have a seat at the table with other pertinent stakeholders, to include community residents, when a decision of this magnitude is being made. The Bill was held in the Committee for further consideration. During the consideration of this Bill, the Senators present were: Chairwoman Donna Frett-Gregory, Kurt Vialet, Javan James, Sr., Janelle Sarauw, Steven Payne, Sr., Myron Jackson, and Stedmann Hodge, Sr. ###   Find More Search for: Categories News Observances Press Releases Special Events Related Content COMMITTEE REVIEWS FY 2027 EXECUTIVE BUDGET REQUESTS FOR GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE, AND BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES July 23, 2026 ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Members of the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis Jr., met in the Frits E. Lawaetz Conference Room to receive testimony on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budgets for... Read More COMMITTEE RECEIVES UPDATES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCERNING SEWAGE HEALTH RISKS, CANCER CARE IN THE TERRITORY                                   July 22, 2026 ST. THOMAS, VI – The 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services, led by Senator Ray Fonseca, met at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall.  Lawmakers received testimony concerning the potential and observed public... Read More SENATORS CONSIDER PROPOSED HORSE RACE LEGISLATION IN SPECIAL SESSION  July 22, 2026 Members of the 36th Legislature, led by Senate President Milton E. Potter, convened at the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall. Lawmakers met in special session by request of the governor to consider Bill No. 36-0313, an act approving lease and franchise agreements for the development and operation of the Randall “Doc”... Read More Quick Links Home Senators Committees Media News Contact Important Links Revised Organic Act of 1954 (PDF) 36th Oath of Office Booklet 100 Day Report Rules of the 36th Public Information or Archives Request Search for: Follow Follow Follow Follow