Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States

Virgin Islands Board of Education Joins Opening of Schools Tour and Commits to Addressing School Maintenance Needs

The Virgin Islands Board of Education (VIBE) is pleased to announce its active participation in the recent Opening of Schools Tour, during which it had the opportunity to visit various educational facilities and engage with school leaders and teachers. The Board remains dedicated to ensuring that every student in our community has access to a safe and conducive learning environment.

During the tour, VIBE through its School Plants and Facilities Committee identified several critical areas of need within our schools, particularly regarding maintenance and infrastructure. The Board recognizes that these challenges, including ongoing issues related to the heat in classrooms, require immediate attention to ensure our students and educators can focus on what truly matters — teaching and learning. The report is available on the Board’s website.

To address these concerns, the Board will be working closely with the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance, as well as the Department of Education, to develop and implement effective solutions. Together, we will take proactive steps to mitigate the heat situation in classrooms and tackle other maintenance challenges, ensuring our schools are equipped to provide a safe, healthy, and comfortable learning environment for all.

The Board is also concerned about the recent protest at Charlotte Amalie High School and acknowledges the seriousness of the issues and concerns presented by the students and staff. VIBE remains committed to supporting all parties involved and hopes for an immediate and satisfactory resolution to these concerns to ensure a positive and productive learning environment.

In line with these efforts, a meeting will be scheduled soon with the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance. This meeting aims to learn more about the Bureau’s goals and provide a comprehensive status update on the current state of school maintenance. The Board believes that through collaboration and open communication, we can make meaningful progress toward enhancing the quality of our educational facilities.

The Virgin Islands Board of Education is committed to transparency and will continue to share its findings and progress with the community as we strive to improve our schools. We look forward to working together with our partners, educators, and the community to create a positive impact on our schools.

For more information or to stay updated on our efforts, please visit our website, myviboe.com, or contact the Virgin Islands Board of Education at 340-774-4546 in St. Thomas and 340-772-4144 on St. Croix.

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