Administrators in the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John school districts recently prepared for the 2016-17 School Year by attending a full day of informative and inspirational workshops.
On August 29 on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth E. Mapp and Commissioner of Education Sharon Ann McCollum, Ph.D., addressed the gathering of principals, assistant principals and district coordinators at the Buccaneer Hotel.
During her remarks, Commissioner McCollum passionately expressed the importance of the Department's employees working together. “We all need to be on the same page – monitors, the administrators and upper administration," she said. “When I took this job, I said and I will continue to say, 'Superman is not flying in.' There is no knight in shining armor that’s going to come charging in here. And with the pending change in the Federal government, until we see where that’s going to be, we are pretty much on our own. We have to be the strong unit. We have to save ourselves. We should be on the same page."
This school year, Commissioner McCollum said greater focus must be given to student achievement. "Our children must achieve. When our students achieve, we all achieve," she stressed to the group.
Commissioner McCollum identified significant changes that have taken place in the Department of Education, such as territorial directors for music and athletics, who will solely focus on supporting curriculum in the schools. Also, two individuals have been hired in both districts to spearhead agricultural education in the schools.
Governor Mapp praised the work of Commissioner McCollum. “Dr. McCollum has no lost words in asking for monetary resources,” Governor Mapp began. “I try to sit with Dr. McCollum at least once every three weeks, one and one to talk about the issues on education.” He said during their last meeting, he encouraged Commissioner McCollum to spend all the money the Department of Education has on hand.
“We had a great meeting with her (McCollum) team on the federal education USDOE dollars, and I am troubled not by anything the VIDE is doing, but we have this condition imposed by USDOE to have a third party fiduciary to spend VIDE dollars," Governor Mapp said. "We have to pay the fiduciary agents out of the general funds. We are not allowed to use grant monies to pay fiduciary agents and of this fiscal year we have aide the third party fiduciary agents 32 million dollars, that’s a school we could have built and if we do not change our concept of how we work with the fiduciary, with the process of utilizing the federal dollars, spending it timely and appropriately, and get the fiduciary agent away from the table, we will continue to have this course.”
Colleen Mae Williams, St. Croix district insular superintendent, presented a video that followed the journey of two school principals on the mainland who turned their schools around through teamwork, commitment and love. Among many scenes, the captivating video showed the principals greeting students with hugs and high-fives. The message conveyed was that administrators who care about students and their families, and who have close and regular communication with teachers and staff will undoubtedly change the climate on their campuses.
On St. Thomas, a similar scene played out with the district's principals, assistant principals and coordinators at the Curriculum Center on August 30. There, Commissioner McCollum laid out a plan for the new school year. She shared information about the Department's new Office of Special Funding, which supports the Department's fundraising efforts by securing funds from private donors and grants. She highlighted the many public-private partnerships the Department of Education is enjoying, one such that resulted in BCB Middle School receiving a hardwood basketball floor from the University of the Virgin Islands and a $25,000 donation to refurbish and install it. The new floors were installed in August 2016.
"I picked up a check last week for $30,000 to continue the iPad Project," Commissioner McCollum continued, explaining that the project, which began in St. Thomas schools will expand to schools in St. Croix this year. The iPad Projects supplies students with the tablets for the use in the classroom.
But, Dr. McCollum said more checks and support are on the way.
"On September 12, we will be getting a check for $200,000 from Innovative to move forward with IT training for our students," she said. "We're in conversations with JetBlue. One of the things I'd like to see is the name of our schools on the side of their jets. We are also knocking on the doors of corporate America. We are huge consumers, but I'm not seeing the benefits. It's time they (corporate America) recognize that we are here and we are spending a lot of money, and it's time [for them] to give back."
In brief remarks, Governor Mapp reaffirmed his support for the Department of Education. "It's important for me to ensure that you (the Department of Education) have as much of the resources that I can provide to you to get the job done," he said. "I am happy to be the biggest resource for Dr. McCollum and her efforts to transform public education." He pointed out that in recent discussions with the Legislature, the governing body is expected to act "on $25 million to invest into the physical plants of the schools throughout the territory."
In closing, Dr. McCollum implored employees to work together to benefit Virgin Islands' students. "We have to get this done. We must do it for the children. We must change this Department. Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to have a remarkable year and know that I'm only a phone call away," she said.
St. Thomas-St. John Insular Superintendent Dionne Wells-Hedrington also offered a passionate appeal for administrators and coordinators to never lose sight of their mission. "We have to take back our schools," she said. "Whatever happens in the community finds their way into our buildings. We cannot turn a blind eye; we have to find ways to support our children."
Governor Mapp gives remarks at Back to School district meeting on St. Thomas, August 30, 2016.
Superintendent Dionne Wells-Hedrington shares information with St. Thomas-St. John administrators and coordinators at Back to School Meeting held at the Curriculum Center, August 30, 2016.
St. Thomas-St. John administrators listen intently at Back to School meeting at the Curriculum Center on August 30, 2016.
Governor Mapp greets St. Croix administrators on August 29 at Bucaaneer Hotel. 
Administrators from Ricardo Richards listen intently at annual Back to School meeting at Buccaneer Hotel on St. Croix. 
New Territorial Director of Music Dionne Donnadelle speaks at St. Croix Administrator meeting at Buccaneer Hotel on August 29. 
Governor Mapp speaks to St. Croix administrators 
Karen Turnbull shares details of the Department's new Office of Special Funding. 
St. Croix Superintendent Colleen Williams gives inspiration to St. Croix administrators.
