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Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 2 June 25, 2025 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 Novelle E. Francis, Jr., Thank you for the opportunity to present testimony on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget 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 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4 Commissioner’s Statement ......................................................................................................... 4 VIDE Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund Budget Overview ........................................................... 5 Personnel Services ................................................................................................................... 5 Fringe Benefits .......................................................................................................................... 6 Supplies ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Other Services ........................................................................................................................... 9 Utilities ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Miscellaneous .......................................................................................................................... 11 Staffing Summary ....................................................................................................................... 13 School Food Authority ............................................................................................................... 16 Federal Grants ............................................................................................................................. 17 Mission & Vision...................................................................................................................... 18 Strategic Priorities .................................................................................................................. 19 Student Data ............................................................................................................................ 19 Graduation Rates .................................................................................................................... 20 New Schools Overview .............................................................................................................. 20 New Schools Project Highlights ............................................................................................... 21 New Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 ............................................................................................. 21 Wheatley Skills Center at Gladys A. Abraham Campus ..................................................... 21 Charlotte Amalie High School ............................................................................................... 21 Bertha C. Boschulte PreK-8 ................................................................................................... 22 New Julius E. Sprauve PreK-12 ............................................................................................. 22 New Central High School ....................................................................................................... 22 Conclusion................................................................................................................................... 24 Addendum A: Expenditures .......................................................................................................... 26 Addendum B: Contracts ................................................................................................................ 27 Addendum C: Disallowed Meals................................................................................................... 28 Addendum D: Public Schools Enrollment..................................................................................... 30 Addendum E1: Public Schools Graduation .................................................................................. 31 Addendum E2: Public Schools Graduation .................................................................................. 32 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 commend the committee members for their steadfast support in securing funding from the General Fund for the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE). The 36th Legislature deserves tremendous accolades for its continued partnership with our department and collective goals. Your proactive engagement has been instrumental as we strive to enhance public education throughout the territory. Thank you for the critical funding that enables the department to pursue our key objectives: improved student outcomes, quality schools, an effective education system, engaged families, and a supportive community. Your commitment ensures that our children are progressing toward academic recovery and success and helps the department to determine if we are achieving the goals that we have set forth to implement as we transform public education. Today, I'm here to address the proposed budget allocation for the Department of Education in FY2026. Education is the cornerstone of our society, shaping the future of our workforce, economy, and civic engagement. As such, it is imperative that we prioritize adequate funding to support our schools, educators, and students. The continuation of necessary programs and retention of staff are of the utmost importance as we continue to provide equitable education for the children of the Virgin Islands. Joining me today are members of my leadership team: • 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. Sharlene Belton-Gonzalez Insular Superintendent, St. Croix District • Mr. Melvin Gumbs, Director of Budget • Ms. Nicole Jacobs, Director of Human Resources • Ms. Khadila D. Joseph, Territorial Director of Procurement • Ms. Belinda Sanderson, State Director of Special Nutrition • Ms. Keisha Culpepper-Smith, Director of Federal Grants 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. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 5 VIDE Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund Budget Overview We will now provide a detailed overview of the Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Fiscal Year 2026 General Fund budget. For FY 2026, the Governor has recommended an appropriation of $179,316,999. This recommendation represents a 5.04% increase ($8,600,000) over our Fiscal Year 2025 approved budget of $170,716,999, as illustrated in Table 1. This proposed allocation includes $108,276,622 designated for personnel services, $54,845,476 for fringe benefits, $1,413,791 for supplies, $7,281,110 for other services, and $7,500,000 for utilities. The proposed allocation will secure the salaries and benefits of our dedicated educators and staff, sustain vital operational functions, and ensure the foundational resources are in place to deliver consistent educational services across the territory. Table 1 Budget Comparison for FY2025 and FY2026 FY 2025 FY 2026 Variance ($) Variance (%) Appropriation $170,716,999.00 $179,316,999.00 $8,600,000.00 5.04% Personnel Services Personnel Services represent the very core of our educational system, encompassing $108,276,622 of our Fiscal Year 2026 recommended budget, accounting for a significant 60% of the total allocation. This critical investment directly supports 1,954 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 salaries of our dedicated staff, including $95,734,152 for Classified Employee Salaries and $10,392,470 for Unclassified Employee Salaries. In addition, $2,150,000 is strategically allocated to support other vital personnel initiatives, specifically $425,000 for Temporary and Part-Time salaries, $200,000 for our crucial Substitute Teacher salaries, and $1,525,000 for essential Lump Sum Payments. These lump sum payments are critically allocated to fulfill a range of mandatory obligations outlined in our collective bargaining agreements, encompassing coaching stipends, employee stipends, compensation for paraprofessionals holding classes, various payouts, and teacher degree credits. This comprehensive allocation ensures that all such collectively bargained commitments are appropriately resourced. The FY 2026 recommended budget for Personnel Services reflects a $5,698,095 increase over the FY 2025 allocation of $102,578,527 (as detailed in Table 2 below). A significant driver of this increase is the strategic decision to transition vital school-based positions from federal funding sources to local appropriations, combined with the ongoing implementation and sustainment of collectively bargained salary increases. This Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 6 proactive measure was taken to ensure the continuity of essential educational services and to mitigate risks associated with the increasing uncertainty of federal grant allocations, particularly from the U.S. Department of Education. By funding these critical positions, we secure stability for staff and uninterrupted support for our students. This budget prioritizes the support of 1,954 Full-Time Equivalents, focusing resources on critically filled positions and essential operational needs. Ultimately, this personnel budget is not merely an expenditure; it is a direct investment in human capital that drives student achievement and shapes the future of our territory. It enables us to retain experienced educators, attract new talent, and maintain the essential support services necessary for a thriving learning environment. Table 2 Summary of Personnel Services Budget Comparison (FY2025 vs. FY2026) FY 2025 FY 2026 Variance ($) Variance (%) Personnel Services $102,578,527.00 $108,276,622.00 $5,698,095.00 5.55% Classified Employee Salaries $91,795,534.00 $95,734,152.00 $3,938,618.00 4.29% Unclassified Employee Salaries $9,382,346.00 $10,392,470.00 $1,010,124.00 10.77% Overall FTEs Supported 1,977.40 1,954.00 -23.40 -1.18% Temp/Part Time Salaries $425,000.00 $425,000.00 $0.00 0.00% Sub-Teacher Salaries $200,000.00 $200,000.00 $0.00 0.00% Lump Sum Payments $775,647.00 $1,525,000.00 $749,353.00 96.61% Fringe Benefits Fringe Benefits represent a substantial and largely non-negotiable component of our budget, directly tied to the well-being and retention of the dedicated personnel we discussed earlier. For Fiscal Year 2026, the recommended budget allocates $54,845,476 to cover these essential costs. This reflects a critical $4,493,277 increase, or 8.92%, over the FY 2025 allocation of $50,352,199 (as detailed in Table 3 below). This increase is largely attributable to the strategic transition of school-based personnel from federal to local funding sources, coupled with the impact of collectively bargained salary adjustments. As these essential positions are now locally supported, their associated mandatory fringe benefits must also be covered by local appropriations, thereby Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 7 increasing this budget line item. Fringe benefits collectively account for approximately 30% of the total recommended FY 2026 budget, underscoring their significance in our overall financial planning. This budget allocates resources for key benefit categories, ensuring our obligations for Employer Contributions to Retirement are met, reflecting the growth in the locally funded contributing base salary for our personnel. It also covers Health Insurance Premiums, which continue to be impacted by current market trends and the rising cost of healthcare services. Additionally, mandatory contributions for Social Security and Medicare are included, alongside funding for Workers' Compensation premiums. Table 3 Summary of Fringe Benefits Budget Comparison (FY2025 vs. FY2026) FY 2025 FY 2026 Variance ($) Variance (%) Fringe Benefits $50,352,199.00 $54,845,476.00 $4,493,277.00 8.92% Employer Contributions to Retirement $21,471,644.00 $23,515,461.00 $2,043,817.00 9.52% Social Security $6,441,987.00 $6,639,172.00 $197,185.00 3.06% Medicare $1,450,745.00 $1,570,010.00 $119,265.00 8.22% Health Insurance Premiums $20,486,464.00 $22,825,282.00 $2,338,818.00 11.42% Workers Compensation Premiums $285,713.00 $295,551.00 $9,838.00 3.44% Other Contributions NOC $215,646.00 $0.00 -$215,646.00 -100.00% Supplies For Fiscal Year 2026, the recommended budget allocates $1,413,791 for critical materials and supplies, representing approximately 0.79% of our total recommended budget (as detailed in Table 4 below). This allocation is crucial for sustaining the daily operations of our schools and administrative offices throughout the territory. This budget category funds a comprehensive range of essential needs. The FY 2026 budget for supplies reflects a significant 83.25% increase, totaling $642,263 over the FY 2025 funding level of $771,528.00. This increase is largely driven by crucial investments in Data Processing Software, which accounts for $367,472 of the total increase, underscoring our commitment to modernizing systems, enhancing security, and improving operational efficiency. Additionally, this budget incorporates funding for other vital operational needs. Operating Supplies ($516,661) provide essential items for all our facility locations, encompassing Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 8 general office and operating supplies, drinking water coupons, carwash coupons, and critical janitorial supplies, ensuring a functional, hygienic, and productive environment. Vehicle Supplies ($222,600) are indispensable for keeping our essential fleet operational, covering fuel, routine supplies, tires, and batteries. Repair and Maintenance Supplies ($12,000) ensure we have the necessary materials for ongoing upkeep and timely repairs across our facilities, proactively addressing issues and extending the life of our infrastructure. A modest but vital allocation for Small Tools and Minor Equipment ($6,000) provides immediate, varied operational necessities, from basic office supplies to essential small functional items, enabling efficient daily functionality and preventing disruptions. Furthermore, Food & Catering ($123,030) includes the crucial allocation for the School Food Authority, which is indispensable for managing the school lunch programs in both districts, directly supporting student nutrition and fostering a conducive learning environment. This category also covers other food and catering needs deemed necessary to support essential departmental functions. Crucially, a significant portion of these essential supply costs were previously mitigated by American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funding. However, with the expiration of these federal funds, these unavoidable and recurring operational expenses must now be absorbed by local appropriations. As the largest department in the government, VIDE must ensure continuous and sufficient supplies to support our districts and schools across the Virgin Islands. The anticipated return of these previously federally covered costs into our General Fund budget remains a continuing concern and will require additional local support to fully offset these essential expenditures, including potential contributions from casino funding. Table 4 Summary of Supplies Budget Comparison (FY2025 vs. FY2026) FY 2025 FY 2026 Variance ($) Variance (%) Supplies $771,528.00 $1,413,791.00 $642,263.00 83.25% Office Supplies $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Operating Supplies $485,500.00 $516,661.00 $31,161.00 6.42% Vehicle Supplies $0.00 $222,600.00 $222,600.00 100% Repair and Maintenance Supplies $0.00 $12,000.00 $12,000.00 100% Small Tools and Minor Equipment $0.00 $6,000.00 $6,000.00 100% Food & Catering $120,000.00 $123,030.00 $3,030.00 2.53% Data Processing Software $166,028.00 $533,500.00 $367,472.00 221.33% Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 9 Other Services The recommended Fiscal Year 2026 budget for Other Services stands at $7,281,110, representing a $1,003,636 decrease, or 12.11% reduction, from the FY2025 funding level of $8,284,746 (as detailed in Table 5 below). This budget category encompasses a broad range of essential operational costs for the Department, and accounts for approximately 4% of the total recommended FY2026 budget. While there is an overall decrease, this budget reflects critical shifts in funding to absorb mandatory and recurring operational costs. A significant driver is the dramatic increase in Rental of Land/Buildings to $576,510 from $53,055, reflecting a nearly 987% increase. This substantial investment is a direct consequence of the transition of previously federally funded rental costs for essential facilities and services back to local appropriations. While this allocation is vital, the full scope of our escalating rental obligations remains a substantial financial consideration for the Department. Within this budget, Professional Services, despite an overall decrease to $6,319,534, cover a wide array of indispensable and often contractual functions critical for both direct student support and overall departmental operations. These include essential operational support services, specialized programs, and foundational investments in our instructional technology infrastructure. These allocations are foundational, supporting these critical services and requiring vigilant resource management to cover their full scope. Communication costs, allocated at $299,000, are vital for maintaining connectivity across our expansive system. This allocation provides essential connectivity, necessitating strategic management to address all communication requirements. Other Services Not Otherwise Classified (NOC), though significantly reduced to $86,066, covers essential operational and oversight needs, including annual membership dues. This allocation critically supports vital solutions for our Internal Audit division, a function rigorously prioritized as indispensable for ensuring fiscal integrity and compliance with federal mandates, particularly those governing our U.S. Department of Education grants. While these allocations address critical operational demands, the Department faces the continuous challenge of prioritizing and strategically managing resources to cover all essential mandatory obligations, including vital contractual services fundamental to our educational mission. This necessitates ongoing internal adjustments to ensure uninterrupted service delivery across all functions. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 10 Table 5 Summary of Other Services Budget Comparison for (FY2025 vs. FY2026) FY 2025 FY 2026 Variance ($) Variance (%) Other Services $8,284,746.00 $7,281,110.00 -$1,003,636.00 -12.11% Automotive Repair & Maintenance $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Rental of Land/Buildings $53,055.00 $576,510.00 $523,455.00 986.63% Rental Machines/Equipment $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Professional Services $7,111,712.00 $6,319,534.00 -$792,178.00 -11.14% Security Services $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Training $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Communication $306,000.00 $299,000.00 -$7,000.00 -2.29% Advertising & Promotion $9,000.00 $0.00 -$9,000.00 -100.00% Printing and Binding $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Transportation - Not Travel $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Travel $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Purchase Bulk Airline Tickets $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Other Services NOC $804,979.00 $86,066.00 -$718,913.00 -89.31% Credit Card Expenses $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Membership Dues $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 0% Utilities The recommended Fiscal Year 2026 budget allocates $7,500,000.00 for utilities, representing 4.00% of our total recommended budget (see Table 6 below). This allocation is fundamental for sustaining essential operational infrastructure across all VIDE facilities, from classrooms to administrative offices. Notably, this reflects a significant $1,000,000 decrease, or 11.76% reduction, from the FY 2025 budgeted amount of $8,500,000, necessitating rigorous management of these essential expenses. This substantial allocation is critically required to cover the unavoidable utility consumption driven by essential school operations. Our unique school food operations, for instance, demand constant electricity for kitchens and servers to ensure student nutrition. Additionally, maintaining optimal learning environments for our students necessitates consistent climate control across our facilities, and our expansive IT infrastructure, including servers and network equipment, requires continuous power to support modern educational delivery. These essential and often non-negotiable utility Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 11 expenses are fundamental to ensuring uninterrupted educational services for the children of the Virgin Islands. Table 6 Summary of Utilities Budget Comparison (FY2025 vs. FY2026) FY 2025 FY 2026 VAR ($) VAR (%) Utilities $8,500,000.00 $7,500,000.00 -$1,000,000.00 -11.76% Electricity $ 7,000,000.00 $ 6,000,000.00 -$1,000,000.00 -14.29% Water $ 1,500,000.00 $ 1,500,000.00 $0.00 0.00% Miscellaneous For Fiscal Year 2026, $0 is budgeted for Miscellaneous General Fund activities under the Department’s recommended allocation (see Table 7 below). This complete elimination of funding represents a 100% decrease from the $230,000 appropriated in FY 2025. This complete elimination of funding for miscellaneous categories is a direct consequence of the necessary prioritization of essential and mandatory operational costs to ensure core educational services. While this strategic reallocation of resources was essential to address critical personnel, fringe, and unavoidable operational expenses, it underscores the challenging trade-offs required to maintain core educational services within fiscal constraints. The Department remains committed to exploring alternative avenues to support these important initiatives. Table 7 Miscellaneous Budget Comparison for FY2025 and FY2026 FY 2025 FY 2026 VAR ($) 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 | 12 Security Services The Department has engaged Ranger American VI to deliver unarmed security services across multiple public schools in the St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix School Districts. As of FY2025, VIDE has disbursed $0.00 for these security services. The current contract is set to conclude on September 30, 2025. Nevertheless, the Department plans to secure similar services for limited sites during the period from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. Table 9 2024-2025 Facilities being Secured St. Croix District Number of Guards Hourly Rate per Guard Hours / Days Cost per School St. Croix Educational Complex & CTEC 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Alfredo Andrews 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Claude O. Markoe 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Juanita Gardine 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 John H. Woodson 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Arthur A. Richards 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Pearl B. Larsen 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Office of the Insular Superintendent 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Total Cost $660,153.60 St. Thomas-St. John District Number of Guards Hourly Rate per Guard Hours / Days Cost per School Lockhart K-8/CAHS 4 $18.84 12 $330,076.90 Procurement Warehouse 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Bertha C. Boschulte 2 $18.84 12 $165,038.40 Leonard Dober Administrative Office 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 VIDE Headquarters 1 $18.84 24 $165,038.40 Total Cost $825,192.00 St. Croix District Number of Guards Hourly Rate per Guard Hours/ Days Cost per School Office of the Insular Superintendent 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Total Cost $660,153.60 St. Thomas-St. John District Number of Guards Hourly Rate per Guard Hours/ Days Cost per School Procurement Warehouse 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 Bertha C. Boschulte 2 $18.84 12 $165,038.40 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 13 Leonard Dober Administrative Office 1 $18.84 12 $82,519.20 VIDE Headquarters 1 $18.84 24 $165,038.40 Total Cost $825,192.00 Staffing Summary The department has a staffing level of 2,034 active employees (see table 10); 1,869 classified positions and 165 exempt positions to serve the enrolled 10,312 students. As of June 03, 2025, the Department has received thirty-seven (37) retirement and twenty- eight (28) resignation letters in the St. Croix District of which twenty-six (26) are teachers, one (1) nurse and five (5) administrators. Twenty-five (25) retirement and thirty-five (35) resignation letters were received in the St. Thomas-St. John District of which twenty 20) are teachers, one (1) nurse and five (5) 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 September 1, 2025, 174 employees will be eligible for retirement, of which twenty-five (25) are administrators, (16) paraprofessionals and (66) teachers’ territory wide. Table 10 Employee Count by Class Employee Count as of 6/3/2025 Class STTJ STX Grand Total Administrators 51 54 105 Counselors 22 28 50 JROTC Teachers 7 4 11 Librarian 6 8 14 Nurses 5 7 12 Other Support Staff 335 288 623 School Monitors 46 63 109 Paraprofessionals 112 147 259 Teachers 417 434 851 Grand Total 1001 1033 2034 Table 11 Personnel Funding Federal vs General as of 6/3/2025 Funding STTJ STX Grand Total Federal 90 95 280 General 911 938 1950 Grand Total 1001 1033 2034 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 14 Table 12 Separations by Class Separations 08/1/2024 to 6/3/2025 Class STTJ STX Grand Total Administrators 5 5 10 Nurses 1 1 2 Other Support Staff 49 32 81 Paraprofessionals 5 8 13 Teachers 20 26 46 School Monitors 1 2 3 Grand Total 81 74 155 Table 13 Separations by Action Separations 08/1/2024 to 6/3/2025 Action STTJ STX Grand Total Deceased 2 0 2 Dismissal 18 9 27 Resignation 35 28 63 Retirement 25 37 62 Appointment Ended 1 0 1 Grand Total 81 74 155 Table 14 Eligible for Retirement Eligible for Retirement (on 9/1/2025) Class Eligible Not Eligible Grand Total Administrators 25 80 116 Counselors 11 39 50 JROTC Teachers 2 9 11 Librarian 2 12 14 Nurses 1 11 12 Other Support Staff 46 577 623 Paraprofessionals 16 243 259 School Monitor 5 104 109 Teachers 66 785 851 Grand Total 174 1860 2056 Table 15 Certification Teacher Certification Status Island STTJ STX Grand Total Conditional Certification or Full Certification 203 196 399 Expired Conditional or Not Certified 214 238 452 Grand Total 417 434 851 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 15 Administrator Certification Status Island STTJ STX Grand Total Conditional Certification or Full Certification 28 28 56 Expired Conditional or Not Certified 23 26 49 Grand Total 51 54 105 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 2025/2026 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 2025-2026 New Hires (as of June 3, 2025) New Hires Subject Area STTJ STX Grand Total ESL 1 0 1 Elementary Education 8 5 13 Math 5 1 6 English 3 1 4 Science 2 2 4 Agriculture 1 1 2 Biology 2 0 2 Foreign Language 1 0 1 Physical Education 0 0 0 Nurse 1 0 1 Vocational Education 1 1 2 Music 1 0 1 Special Education 6 4 10 Librarian 0 2 2 Social Studies 2 0 2 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 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 16 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 Food Authority The School Food Authority remains dedicated to providing our students with nutritious, well-balanced meals in accordance with guidelines from the United States Department of Agriculture. We are actively exploring innovative approaches to meal preparation and presentation. By partnering with local farmers, we now offer locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables. Our school gardens are being revitalized, and salad bars are in all high schools with plans for expansion to middle and elementary schools. Ensuring our staff receives adequate training and support is a top priority. Table 16 outlines the monthly reimbursable meals served by the STT/STJ and STX School Food Authorities, along with total reimbursements for the 2024-2025 school year. We continue to realize a decrease in disallowed meals territory-wide, which had minimal impact on the total reimbursements earned. To ensure that we maintain this positive trend and ultimately receive no disallowed meals, continued monitoring and support will be provided to all food service staff, as well as improvements made to ensure that all commodities needed to full fill the menus are available to our schools. Work efforts with the school food authorities will remain a priority for the department. Table 17 School Lunch Meals and Earnings Report St. Thomas/St. John - SY 2024-2025 Breakfast Lunch Snack Meal Total Total Earnings August 24 15,166 34,487 0 49,653 $219,670.50 September 24 22,221 51,378 0 73,599 $326,09863 October 24 24,307 49,756 0 74,063 $324,536.08 November 24 18,809 46,317 0 65,126 $290,141.15 December24 14,706 29,801 0 44,507 $194,844.63 January 25 15,749 42,161 0 57,910 $259,808.32 February 25 21,122 45,116 0 66,238 $291,392.21 March 25 24,152 48,010 0 72,162 $315,337.84 April 25 0 0 0 0 $0 May 25 0 0 0 0 $0 Total 156,232 347,026 0 503,258 $2,240,389.15 St. Croix - SY 2024- 2025 Breakfast Lunch Snack Meal Total Total Earnings August 24 17589 37126 0 54,715 $255,956.01 September 24 27236 50741 0 77,977 $357,590.07 October 24 20101 40,111 0 60,212 $277,945.15 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 17 November 24 18915 38599 0 57,514 $266,055.95 December 24 14533 28,862 0 43,395 $200,266.67 January 25 20944 40046 0 60,990 $280,393.81 February 25 24108 45397 0 69,505 $319,067.99 March 25 26541 46656 0 73,197 $333,744.76 April 25 19845 37349 0 57,194 $262,539.66 May 25 9080 16710 0 25,790 $118,123.77 Total 198,892 381,597 0 580,489 $2,671,643.84 Federal Grants The Department currently manages 22 grants totaling $115,501,950.09. Of the 22 grants, 11 are from the United States Department of Education (USDE) totaling $86,076,359.85 and 11 are from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), totaling $29,425,590.24. The awarded grants include the Consolidated Grant (CG), Special Education (IDEA), and Adult Education (AE). USDA grants include the Child and Adult Care Program (CACFP), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), State Administrative Expense (SAE), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Summer Food Services Program (SFSP), Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program (FFVP), and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Equipment Grant. In FY 2026, the Department anticipates receiving approximately $29,425,590.24 in federal funds - $24,983,214.00 from the USDE, and $4,442,376.24 from the USDA as reimbursable program funds. As of June 9, 2025, the Department is in the process of obligating $8,625,179.20, which is set to expire on September 30, 2025 (see Figure 2). There are several contributing factors to slow spending and the department continues to work with its internal stakeholders to resolve these matters. Among the concerns being addressed are: • Supply and demand shortages which trigger price hikes beyond the approved budget necessitate budget modifications. • Lengthy revision process - the department is reducing the number of revision requests sent to USDE, however, because of vendors’ inability to fill orders, inability to fill positions which results in personnel savings, and reduced funding availability in budget categories revisions are still needed. • The Department also has not been able to attract many vendors and as previously indicated, the Department continues to experience delivery delays and cancellations of orders with those that are registered in our system. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 18 Several initiatives have been implemented. Weekly Grant Status Reports are provided to program leads, weekly spending plans are required which outline the available balances, the intended plans and projected obligation dates, as well as various tools to assist all programs. Those plans and constant monitoring and accountability are critical. Encumbering those funds is a priority and all boots are on the ground. Figure 2 Active Grants Expiring September 30, 2025 Figure 3 Active Grants Expiring September 30, 2026 Organizational Section Mission & Vision The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) is committed to fostering an educational landscape where every student thrives in a safe, nurturing environment. Focusing on delivering high-quality instruction and continuous support, the Department ensures that all students are fully equipped to succeed in their college endeavors and future careers, ready to navigate and contribute to a diverse global society. 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. 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. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 19 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 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 The Virgin Islands Department of Education has experienced a decline in enrollment over the past 10 years. There are several factors that have contributed to this and as a result we have examined our human capital to ensure that we are maximizing our personnel. The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation has provided our enrollment data by grade for the school years spanning 2014-2015 to 2024-2025 (see Addendum D). The Virgin Islands' total public-school enrollment declined from 14,241 in 2014-2015 to 10,410 in 2024-2025, representing a decrease of approximately 3831 students. The largest drop in enrollment occurred between the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years, 1,995 students, potentially reflecting the impact of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Reflecting on the last three years of data showed us that in the St. Thomas-St. John District enrollment was 5,094 in 2022-2023 and increased by 171 to 5,265 this past school year. The St. Croix District was at 5,072 in 2022-2023 and increased by 73 to 5,145 this past school year. Monitoring enrollment data is critical to the sustainability of the districts to ensure that human capital is being maximized. Table 17 Public Schools Enrollment by Grade (2014-20154 to 2024-2025) 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22 22-23 23-24 24-25 STTJ 7,492 7,207 6,893 5,712 5,375 5,415 5,542 5,143 5,094 5,230 5,265 STX 6,749 6,551 6,301 5,487 5,343 5,492 5,451 5,091 5,072 5,082 5,145 Total 14,241 13,758 13,194 11,199 10,718 10,907 10,993 10,234 10,166 10,312 10,410 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 20 Graduation Rates The data illustrates public school graduation rates across two districts, St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John, over the academic years from 2014-2015 to 2023-2024 (see Addendum E1). A closer look at the figures reveals fluctuations in graduation numbers across both districts. In the St. Croix District, the total number of graduates ranged from a high of 439 in 2013-2014 to a low of 349 in 2023-2024. Both St. Croix Central High School and St. Croix Educational Complex High School have experienced noticeable shifts, with the latter school seeing a gradual decrease over time. For instance, St. Croix Educational Complex High School graduated 257 students in 2013-2014, dropping to 173 in 2023-2024 (see Addendum E2). In the St. Thomas-St. John District, graduation numbers show a similar trend of variability. Charlotte Amalie High School's graduation figures ranged from 300 in 2013-2014 t0 to 212 in 2023-2024. Ivanna Eudora Kean High School also experienced fluctuations, with graduates ranging from 185 in 2013-2014 to 138 in 2022-2023 and a positive gain in 2023-2024 to 184. The overall Virgin Islands graduation figures indicate a general decline over time, with total graduates dropping from 924 in 2013-2014 to 745 in 2023-2024. Despite periodic rebounds the data suggests a consistent downward trend in graduation rates across the territory. Our analysis of the graduation rates shows that every year VIDE consistently increases in our rates, which means that students are fulfilling requirements and schools are doing a better job at tracking students to meet their needs. The 24-25 graduation rates cannot be calculated until the end of summer school. Table 18 SY2023-2024 Graduation Rates 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 STX District 69.8 81.9 77.3 76.6 79.5 79.3 STTJ District 57.1 60.2 66.5 72.1 76.8 83.0 Virgin Islands 62.4 70.9 71.4 74.4 78.0 81.0 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 are currently out for bids. Additional projects are being designed as we speak. 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. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 21 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 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 next year. New Schools Project Highlights New Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 The project reached an important milestone this month. The roof has been placed on the gymnasium. This milestone will be marked by a topping-off ceremony to appreciate the employees. The project is on track to open in August of next year. The Bureau will be tapped in September as we begin the building commissioning process and provide training on the specifications and operations manuals for the new buildings. The project will be under a warranty that will allow the contractor to address some maintenance issues initially. Wheatley Skills Center at Gladys A. Abraham Campus We moved into a portion of the building due to the urgent need for space at Charlotte Amalie High School. The next phase of the project has been designed and the drawings are in review. Additions will be made to the east and west sides of the building to expand the kitchen and place an additional classroom above it, damaged structures will be demolished, and an addition will be made to the front of the building to increase administrative space. Charlotte Amalie High School The first contractor demolished buildings "A", "B", and "C" of Charlotte Amalie High School this year. He began in February and finished in June. The design-build team has been busy taking the 30% design they received up to the 60% stage. The design looks good and is faithful to the original concepts. A few tweaks were made to add a mezzanine to the auditorium. The design-build contractor is working to make improvements to relocate the music program and special education classes elsewhere on the campus to Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 22 enable those buildings to be demolished next. The design-builder is also working on the surveys and preparing the first earth change application package. Bertha C. Boschulte PreK-8 The same design-build team that is re-building Charlotte Amalie High School is modernizing the Bertha C. Boschulte PreK-8. The team is surveying the property and has advanced the design to 60%. The design is being modified to add a stand-alone Safe Room to the project. The work will be carried out in phases. New Julius E. Sprauve PreK-12 The design of the New Julius E. Sprauve PreK-12 School has advanced to 60%. The drawings were reviewed by the St. John Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Committee and the decision meeting is being scheduled. The project includes foundations designed to minimize site disturbance. New Central High School The design-build team will meet next week for a full-day in-person kick-off workshop. The new school will be built on the south side of the campus, the students will be moved into their new campus, and, finally, the existing buildings will be demolished, and new playing fields will be built in their place. Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 23 Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 24 Conclusion 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 | 25 Addendums Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 26 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 | 28 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 | 29 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 | 31 Addendum E1: Public Schools Graduation Virgin Islands Department of Education 1834 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, USVI 00802 Page | 32 Addendum E2: Public Schools Graduation a