Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance Reaffirms Commitment to Safety and Transparency Following St. Croix Educational Complex High School PTO Meeting

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) and the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance (BSCM) would like to extend its gratitude to the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) of the St. Croix Educational Complex High School (SCECHS) for requesting a meeting with VIDE leadership to address maintenance and safety concerns at the school. The meeting, held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, was attended by Commissioner, Dr. Dionne Wells-Hedrington; Assistant Commissioner, Victor Somme III; Executive Director of the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance, Craig Benjamin; St. Croix Insular Superintendent, Dr. Sharlene Belton-Gonzalez; Deputy Superintendent, Andrea Shillingford; St. Croix Director of Maintenance, Yauncey Milligan; Director of Procurement, Khadila Joseph;  Director of School Safety and Disaster Planning, Irvin Mason; and Legal Counsel, Chilesa Ready.

The primary purpose of the meeting was to address the concerns of the PTO, to provide accurate and transparent information about the recent actions taken by the Department, and to outline the ongoing and future plans of the BSCM regarding maintenance efforts at SCECHS. We understand the importance of ensuring our students and staff are in a safe learning environment, and we are committed to improving and addressing these concerns head-on.

The Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance has already taken several immediate steps to address safety concerns at SCECHS. Among the first steps taken were the removal of all industrial-grade ceiling fans from the campus and the initiation of a comprehensive inspection of all originally installed ceiling fans. This is to guarantee the safety of our students and staff while ensuring a comfortable environment conducive to learning.

In addition to these immediate measures, the BSCM has outlined its ongoing and future plans to address both the immediate heat comfort needs and the long-term safety concerns at SCECHS:

1. Fan Inspection: A comprehensive inspection of all originally installed ceiling fans will be completed within three weeks. A detailed report of the findings will be shared with the PTO, and updates will be provided throughout the process.

2. Temporary Cooling Solution: To address immediate heat comfort concerns, the BSCM has initiated the procurement of 100 new temporary air-conditioning units from a local vendor. These units are currently in stock and will be installed within the next two weeks.

3. Fan Replacement: The industrial-grade ceiling fans that were removed will be replaced with educational-grade fans specifically designed for classroom environments, further enhancing the safety and comfort of  students and staff.

Executive Director Benjamin reiterated the BSCM’s commitment to maintaining open communication throughout this process. “We understand the concerns raised and are committed to working closely with the SCECHS community to ensure a safe and comfortable learning environment for all. We will continue to keep all stakeholders informed of our progress and the steps we are taking to address these issues.”

The Virgin Islands Department of Education and the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance remain dedicated to fostering trust and transparency within our school communities. We are here to listen, respond, and take action to ensure the well-being of our students, staff, and families. We appreciate the continued partnership of the PTO as we navigate these challenges together. Our goal is to rebuild confidence in our ability to provide safe and nurturing educational spaces where every student can thrive.

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 0904 24 Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance Reaffirms Commitment to Safety (158 KB)