Racquel Berry-Benjamin
Commissioner of Education​
Joseph Sibilly
​Territorial Facilities Manager
Dionne Wells-Hedrington, Ed. D.
Chief Operations Officer
James Bernier
​Director of Engineering
Chaneel Callwood-Daniels, AIA
​Architect of New School Construction
Alan Fleming
​Territorial Project Engineer
Community Engagement Survey
Throughout the month of June, the VIDE hosted a series of virtual community engagement sessions to share ideas related to the Educational Facility Master Plan and to get community feedback. As a part of these sessions, participants completed a brief nine-question survey. The results of the community engagement surveys have been synthesized and are available for review at the link below.

FAQS

1. When will new public schools be built in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The projected timeline for the construction of new USVI Public Schools is five years. The VIDE is targeting construction to be completed on the first schools by 2025.

2.  Will all USVI Public Schools be rebuilt?
There are six (6) schools identified for total rebuild and 12 for modernization/expansion. The VIDE's footprint will be reduced from 32 schools to 18 schools.
REBUILDS:
Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School (at the Evelyn M. Williams Elementary School site)
Alfredo Andrews PreK-8 School
St. Croix Central High School
Charlotte Amalie High School
Ulla F. Muller PreK-8 SchoolJulius E. Sprauve PreK-12 School

MODERNIZATION AND/OR EXPANSION PROJECTS:
St. Croix
Claude O. Markoe PreK-8 School
Pearl B. Larsen PreK-8 School
Juanita Gardine PreK-8 School
St. Croix Educational Complex High School
John H. Woodson Discovery Center
Lew Muckle Elementary School (repurposed to state and district administrative offices)
St. Thomas
Jane E. Tuitt PreK-3 School
Joseph Sibilly PreK-3 School
Lockhart PreK-8 School
Yvonne E. Milliner-Bowsky PreK-8 School
Bertha C. Boschulte PreK-8 School
Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
Joseph Gomez Elementary School (repurposed to state and district administrative offices)
 
OTHER PROJECTS:​
Wheatley Discovery Center
Gladys A. Abraham Skills Center (Adult CTE)
Leonard Dober Elementary School (repurposed to cultural center)
Alternative Education Facilities on St. Croix and St. Thomas
3. How much money is needed to rebuild or modernize USVI Public Schools?
Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund not just the repair or replacement of hurricane-damaged facilities to pre-disaster condition, but to rebuild to meet Industry Standards without regard to pre-existing conditions. The USVI and FEMA are working collaboratively to determine costs.
A. Where is the funding coming from? 
Funding for the construction of the USVI's new public schools will be provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
B. Has the VIDE received the funding?
Some funding has been received from FEMA, which has allowed the VIDE to complete the facilities master planning and other important projects, including emergency repairs and temporary modular and Sprung campuses. The VIDE has not received funding to construct/modernize new school buildings to date.
C. When will the VIDE receive funding to construct the new schools?
The VIDE is working closely with FEMA and the Government of the Virgin Islands' Office of Disaster Recovery to ensure receipt of funds. The VIDE cannot rush the federal process, as there are many stringent requirements in place in order to gain access to the funding. The VIDE continues to follow the necessary steps as established by the Bipartisan Budget Action as passed by Congress unique for the “territories”. ​
4. What will happen if the VIDE does not receive all the funds to build or modernize schools?
The process and range of possible funding has been initiated. The total dollars will be confirmed in the next 6-12 months.  The master plan includes high and low scenarios that will be implemented based on available funding.
5. What are the Guiding Principles? What are they used for? 
The guiding principles shaped the community engagement used to develop the Educational Facility Master Plan and its recommendations on the number, size, location and programming of Virgin Islands’ Public Schools. They are outlined in detail under the Visioning tab.

6. What is the Educational Facility Master Plan? What is it used for?
The Educational Facility Master Plan validates the VIDE’s studies through 2018 and will inform the proposal of modernized and new construction in U.S. Virgin Islands Public Schools over the long-term to provide future-facing learning environments for VIDE students. The Educational Facility Master Plan document outlines an approach to implement the vision for the citizens of the Virgin Islands and provide a framework for decision-making in moving forward in a fair and equitable manner.
 
7. When will demolition of old school buildings begin? What schools will be demolished first?
Demolitions are slated to begin during the summer of 2020. Arthur A. Richards Jr. High School, Evelyn M. Williams Elementary School, and Buildings A, B & C of Charlotte Amalie High School are the first projects planned for demolition.

8. How will the new schools be different from the schools that currently exist? 
Priorities for new schools were established through extensive visioning workshops and regular meetings with stakeholders and end users. New schools will ignite a passion for learning for all, build community within the school and between schools, create a nexus of economic return, and incorporate data-informed design solutions that adhere to VIDE’s seven guiding principles. VIDE schools will:
  • Support the whole child’s development across time incorporating a curriculum based on inquiry based learning.
  • Ensure equity across all venues and deliveries that allow choices for all students to craft their individual student-centric learning goals.
  • Integrate technology supporting in-class and online needs that allow for maximum flexibility in a COVID world.
  • Use technology to assess impacts.
  • Provide for the health, safety, and welfare of all.
  • Make sure cultural, local and economic competence and resilience issues are addressed with a focus on respecting the vernacular architecture of the Virgin Islands.
  • Integrate design, assessment, operations and management seamlessly to insure maximum dollars are available for the classroom.
9. Why are most schools moving to a PreK-8 model? 
There are many proven data-driven benefits to the PreK-8 model. Read more here.

10. Is the VIDE making decisions about the construction of the USVI's new public schools on its own?
Schools are a vital part of a community and their construction should reflect the diverse interests of those living in the community. A New Schools Advisory Board was established in January 2019 to guide the construction of the USVI's new public schools. The Advisory Board is comprised of VIDE employees, elected and government officials, teachers, students, community activists, business owners, parents, and higher education leaders. The VIDE values a collaborative community effort toward the construction of its new public schools.

11. Who is DLR Group and what role do they play in the construction of new public schools in the USVI?
DLR Group is a global design firm specializing in purposeful, sustainable architecture. DLR Group approaches educational design thoughtfully and holistically. Using survey data, pedagogical research, and community engagement, DLR Group creates adaptable, budget-conscious spaces reflective of today’s collaborative, forward-thinking learning models. www.dlrgroup.com
 
DLR Group was retained as part of the Witt O’Brien's team to complete an Educational Facility Master Plan that could provide a framework for decision making moving forward. Key components included:
  • Preliminary program summaries/site diagrams for each of the 18 schools based on an inquiry based curriculum.
  • An emphasis on 24/7 safe and secure schools that enable a learning continuum that embraces students, teachers, administrators, parents, industry and the greater community at large.
  • A focus on “applied learning” that includes career and technical education (CTE) opportunities that link to industry.
  • Outdoor learning priorities that support the development of the whole child.
  • Sustainable/resilient practices.
  • Professional development that connects innovative learning facilities with curriculum and curriculum delivery.
Having completed the formal Educational Facility Master Plan, Witt O'Brien's and DLR Group will continue to collaborate with the VIDE to refine the modernization budget and scope of work by completing additional facilities analysis, defining industry standards, and completing design documents for five of the first projects.  

12. Can I see designs of what the new or modernized public schools would look like?
Click here for a 3-D flyby of one new school project on each island. These videos provide an example of what schools could look like, given some of the priorities identified in visioning workshops. The community will have further input on the final designs.
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13. I want to give my input on the construction and modernization of the USVI's new public schools, what should I do?
Visit the "Stay In Touch" section below, fill out the form and hit "Submit." We look forward to hearing from you!

Stay In Touch

Have an idea or question? Want to share your perspective? Please send the VIDE a note.
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