VIDE Feasibility Studies, Facilities Assessments, Wheatley 9th Grade Center, & 
​Building Code and COVID-19 Summary of Improvements
In response to the VIDE Educational Facility Master Plan, detailed feasibility studies have been developed for Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School, Bertha C. Boschulte PreK-8 School, Charlotte Amalie High School, Julius E. Sprauve PreK-12 School, and St. Croix Central High School. These studies relate the findings of the master plan to formal, research based architectural design, for pricing studies in coordination with available FEMA funding. 
The feasibility studies have been developed to outline design thinking focused on creating healthy, innovative spaces for teaching and learning, that align with national standards and VIDE values rooted in Equity and Inclusion, Health and Comfort, Resiliency and Systems, and Spaces and Resources. ​
Feasibility Studies Include:
​1. Outline Specifications: Technical Requirements
2. Drawings: Design Intent
3. Design Booklet: Design Narratives and Concepts
VIDE Commitment to High Performance Design: ​In line with the territory's focus on sustainable, resilient design, and per the Educational Facility Master Plan, in order to achieve the VIDE’s goal of 14-28 days of building function off-grid after a hazard event, all new and modernized facilities will be designed to be net zero energy ready. In order to assess the viability of achieving net zero energy for the five schools outlined above, energy models were constructed, various energy conservation measures applied, and the results assessed, to inform design strategies in the following categories: Climate Analysis, Daylighting Analysis, Energy Analysis, Solar Studies, and Thermal Comfort Analysis. 
VIDE Feasibility Studies
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Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School
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Julius E. Sprauve PreK-12 School
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Bertha C. Boschulte PreK-8 School

Made for Teaching and Learning

Campus environments where all students
​have access to resources and all students are afforded a rigorous education.
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Charlotte Amalie High School
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St. Croix Central High School

Facilities Assessments​

In conjunction with the five feasibility studies, the VIDE, Witt O'Brien's and DLR Group completed two phases of Facility Assessments, visiting and collecting data at 18 existing VIDE facilities to provide detailed campus summaries that identify required industry standard and code assessment updates. Three-dimensional scans were completed of each toured facility, to study existing space plans, building dimensions, and geo-location data. 

The following facilities were included in the Facilities Assessments scope of work:
PHASE 01 ASSESSMENTS
+ Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School
+ Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
+ ​Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School
+ ​Joseph Sibilly Elementary School
+ ​Juanita Gardine Elementary School
+ Lockhart Elementary School
+ St. Croix Educational Complex High School
​+ ​Yvonne E. Milliner-Bowsky Elementary School
​PHASE 02 ASSESSMENTS
+ St. Croix Central High School
+ ​Claude O. Markoe Elementary School
+ Pearl B. Larsen Elementary School
+ Alfredo Andrews Elementary School
+ Eulalie Rivera Elementary School
+ Alexander Henderson Elementary School
+ Lew Muckle Elementary School
+ ​Ricardo Richards Elementary School
+ ​John H. Woodson Junior High School
+ Addelita Cancryn Junior High School
+ Charlotte Amalie High School
+ E. Benjamin Oliver Elementary School
+ Ulla F. Muller Elementary School
+ Julius E. Sprauve Elementary School
Wheatley 9th Grade Center: A Case Study for Transformation
In a design build renovation of the existing Wheatley Skills Center, the VIDE partnered with DLR Group and VS America, Inc to study how the design of the built place [i.e., structure and furnishings] can support 'future-focused' agendas that leverage research evidence on dynamic/engaged/agile learning where learners are able to 'own their own knowledge.' The resulting design creates space that supports multiple movement opportunities for maximum brain/body connections.
VS America Inc
Time, research-embedded design solutions, a sponsor for new research.
Building Code and COVID-19 Summary of Improvements
The following scope of work has been identified in 21 of the schools assessed. Based on the availability of goods, these upgrades will be scheduled over the next two years. Preliminary meetings with DPNR, Fire and Health are ongoing.
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Phase 1M (Immediate-July-December). Gross Order of Magnitude cost estimates to be completed in the next 30 days. 
Permit sets to be completed and reviewed by DPNR, Fire and Health in the next 60-90days. 
Structural Stabilization/Repairs
  • Remove spalling concrete
  • Repair pipe columns at stairs and canopies
Improve Primary Egress
  • Provide accurate evacuation plans at each school
  • Provide non-skid coating to walkways
  • Remove metal gates, locks, impediments to exit doors
  • Replace guardrails where deteriorated
  • Improve rise to run ratios on most egregious stairs
  • Post occupancy at 49 or provide second means of egress where current stairs are non-compliant
Improve indoor air quality
  • Install air purifiers
  • Replace inoperable rooftop AC
  • Increase outdoor air make up for improved ventilation/replace filter with Merv13
  • Provide toilet exhaust
  • Improve make up air and ventilation at kitchens
Improve water quality
  • Water testing
  • Clean and seal all cisterns
  • Add Potable Water Skids
  • Add hands free bottle fillers
  • Repair plumbing fixtures that do not function
Fire Safety
  • Provide smoke detectors in occupied rooms
  • Provide battery powered emergency lights
  • Provide 2021 fire extinguishers
  • Add dry chemicals and propane cut off valve at all cooking hoods
Outdoors (To start in 1M and be completed through Phases 1 and 2)
  • Provide appropriate “fall” surfaces at playgrounds
  • Provide removeable (in the event of hurricanes) shade structures ​
Phase 1 (November – June) Gross Order of Magnitude cost estimates to be completed in the next 60 days. 
​Permit sets to be completed and reviewed by DPNR, Fire and Health in the next 60-90days for all longer lead items.  
Exterior Enclosures
  • Repair leaking roofs
  • Provide new windows/elastomeric paint to improve thermal envelope in order to minimize condensation/mold in air-conditioned spaces
Improve Primary Egress
  • Replace doors/hardware to ensure appropriate security is provided balanced with appropriate panic hardware
  • New Fire Stairs as require
  • Upgrade egress doors to 36” and replace panic hardware
Phase 2 (Ongoing 2022) Gross Order of Magnitude cost estimates to be confirmed in the next 60-90 days.
Phase 2 (Ongoing 2022) Gross Order of Magnitude cost estimates to be confirmed in the next 60-90 days.
Indoor Air Quality
  • Replace/add packaged air systems with outside air (ventilation)
  • Implement building wide Building Management Systems
Improve water quality
  • Repair/replace gutters and storm drains
  • Repair/replace grease traps
 
Fire Safety
  • Replace cooking hoods with stainless steel hoods with integral Ansul system
Click here for​ Progress to date on the programmatic Environmental Assessment
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