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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: May 13, 2025 RE: Committee Report for Friday, May 9, 2025 Meeting _____________________________________________________________ Please find attached the report for the Committee on Education and Workforce Development (EWD) meeting held on Friday, March 9, 2025, in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Chambers, St. Thomas. 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 MAY 9, 2025 - COMMITTEE HEARING REPORT The Committee on Education and Workforce Development convened its meeting on Friday, May 9, 2025, in the Earle B. Ottley Legislative Hall, St. Thomas. Call to order: Chairman, Senator Kurt A. Vialet called the meeting to order at 10:12 a.m. Committee Members Present: Non-Committee Members Present: Senator Kurt A. Vialet Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Senator Dwayne M. DeGraff Senator Franklin D. Johnson Senator Carla Joseph Excused: Senator Kenneth L. Gittens Senator Marise C. James Committee Staff: Gloryvee Christian-Krieger, Chief of Staff Samanta Prentice, Legislative Researcher Clerk/Timekeeper: Protocol officer: Janella John, Communications Manager Pastor Charles Browne Legal Counsel: Sergeant-At-Arms: Not Assigned Chief Terrance Manning Officer Tasha Forbes Legislative Reporters: Public Affairs/ Media: Part I - Vashti Gerald-Berry Eustace Brown Part II - Nadine Williams Alwyn Baptiste, Jr. Part III – Nataya Munoz Alvin Burke Part IV - Vashti Gerald-Berry Bernard Matthew, Sr. Part V – Nadine Williams Jamal Potter Chaunte Herbert Barry Leerdam Kashief Hamilton Melissa Gustave The Committee on Education and Workforce Development received testimonies: BLOCK I During the committee hearing on the status of special education programs in the territory’s public schools, a panel of leaders delivered testimony addressing local and federal funding challenges, as well as the role of participating service providers. The Honorable Dionne P a g e | 3 Committee on Education and Workforce Development Wells-Hedrington, Ph.D., Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Education, provided critical insight into the department’s current strategies and needs. Karen H. Brown, Ph.D., MPH, CCC-SLP, Dean of the University of the Virgin Islands, and Suzanne Darrow- Magras, Ph.D., Director of the University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning, offered valuable perspectives on educational training and support initiatives. Jean Forde., Assistant Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Department of Labor, addressed workforce readiness and vocational training for students with disabilities. Rounding out the discussion, Kishma Francis, Esq., Staff Attorney for the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands, passionately advocated for the protection and advancement of students' rights within the special education system. BLOCK II The hearing also highlighted the operational and contractual challenges faced by service providers. Dr. Jody Miller, EdD, BCBA, Director of Coral Reef Academy, spoke candidly about the obstacles in special education testing, ongoing contract issues, and the persistent delays in payments that directly impact services for students. Mardly Smith, Owner and Recruiter of Orange Tree Staffing, echoed concerns regarding recruitment and retention barriers tied to funding uncertainties. Julie Sommer, MS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist and Director of JS Therapies, provided testimony on the difficulties of delivering consistent occupational therapy services amid administrative and financial constraints. COMMITTEE REQUESTS: Committee on education and workforce development through the chair requests and suggestions. Block I Requests: 1. Senator Kurt Vialet is requesting the cost for the Department of Education’s summer special education testing. 2. Senator Avery Lewis is requesting that the Department of Education follow up with the Bureau of School Maintenance and Construction regarding the completion of the sensory room at Yvonne E. Milliner-Bowsky school on St. Thomas. 3. Senator Dwayne DeGraff requested a copy of the Nadine Jones Consent decree. Suggestions: 1. Suggestion from Senator Kurt Vialet - Consider providing a stipend for mainstream classroom teachers, responsible for educating students with special education needs alongside their general education responsibilities. 2. Suggestion from Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington-Review the language of the bill concerning the employment of retired teachers to help address the teacher shortage during the summer months. 3. Suggestion from Deputy Commissioner Andrea Shillingford: eliminate the Professional Practice in psychology examination for school-based psychologists Block II Requests 1. Senator Dwayne DeGraff requested details on outstanding invoices from Coral Reef Academy, Orange Tree Staffing and JS Therapies. P a g e | 4 Committee on Education and Workforce Development 2. Senator Carla Joseph requested a listing of schools serviced by Orange Tree Staffing. Adjournment: Chairman, Senator Kurt A. Vialet adjourned the Committee on Education and Workforce Development hearing at 5:32 p.m.