The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) wishes to address the ongoing situation concerning teacher job actions and student protests. This statement aims to clarify our position and provide insights into the steps being taken to address these concerns.

 

“Regarding recent events, the VIDE appreciates the accountability that our faculty, staff, students, parents, and our community are placing on us to address these long-standing issues that have plagued the department for many years. We understand that the demands made by our educators are rooted in a genuine desire to improve not only their working conditions but also the quality of education provided to our students,” said Commissioner Wells-Hedrington.

 

It is with a deep sense of commitment that the VIDE is invested in the well-being of our students and teachers. The teacher strikes and student protests have brought to the forefront concerns and aspirations of our educational community that the department remains steadfast in resolving. We acknowledge the validity of these concerns and are fully dedicated to addressing them and to ensuring that our educators have the necessary resources, support, and fair working conditions to excel in their roles.

 

“Equally important are the voices of our students. We acknowledge the student protests that have arisen because of the teacher job actions. We recognize their right to express their concerns about school conditions that impact their education. We also recognize their right to engage in peaceful acts of protest that do not pose a risk or harm to themselves or others. We look forward to engaging in open and respectful dialogue with students. Students, your input matters, and we are committed to creating opportunities for you to be heard. The VIDE will establish upcoming meetings for students to share their concerns and suggestions regarding their education,” said Commissioner Wells-Hedrington.

 

“As a superintendent, I believe in the right of our students to have their voices heard, and I deeply respect their awareness of current issues, which enables them to provide valuable input. As I emphasized to the students who protested on Friday, your voice carries weight, but I urge you to express it safely. This means maintaining a safe distance from the roadside and staying within the boundaries of your respective campuses,” said Superintendent Ottley-Herman.

 

Superintendent Ottley-Herman further added, “Both high school leadership teams collaborated with their staff and the Virgin Islands Police Department to ensure the safety of students who attended classes and participated in protests. The primary entrance gates of each school site remained open until the campus was clear of any potential issues.”

 

The impact of these protests on student instructional hours, however, cannot be overlooked. It is important to minimize disruptions to the learning process during these challenging times. Learning loss is a major concern for the VIDE because when it occurs, it is at the detriment of our students.

All teachers and students in the St. Croix District are required to report to school on Monday, September 25, 2023.

 

Effective Monday, September 25^th, the St. Croix School District will implement schedule adjustments aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of the current heatwave on students, faculty, and staff:

 

• Juanita Gardine and Eulalie Rivera PreK-8 Schools: These schools will begin the school day at 7:30am and end at 12:30pm.

 

 

• John H. Woodson Jr. High School: Will begin at 8:00am and end at 1:15pm.

 

• St. Croix Central High School; St. Croix Educational Complex; and the Career & Educational Technical Center: Will begin at 7:40am and end at 1:05pm.

 

“The job action has led to a decrease in instructional hours, causing learning loss due to the absence of teachers. Consequently, the school year will need to be extended with extra hours, and in certain instances, additional days, to fulfill the necessary minimum instructional criteria. This job action also affects the community since parents are frequently required to pick up their children and make special arrangements during this period. Furthermore, businesses in the area are experiencing repercussions as a result. By working together, we can overcome the challenges we face and ensure a brighter future for our students,” said Superintendent Ottley-Herman.

 

The department is proactively working on solutions to the issues raised by our educators and students, with a focus on improving working conditions and providing necessary resources. The VIDE is committed to full transparency and will host a special public presentation “Education 360: A Comprehensive Reform Blueprint” on Thursday, September 28, 2023, to provide clarity, facts, and accurate information on the following areas of concern:

 

• Federal Funding
• Maintenance Timelines
• New Schools Updates
• Academic Recovery

 

The department welcomes your input. The public will be able to pre-submit questions and concerns and VIDE officials will answer them during the live broadcast on September 28^th. Regular updates on maintenance progress will also be provided to keep the public informed on specific timeline projects.

 

At the Virgin Islands Department of Education, we are committed to fostering a positive and productive learning environment for our students, which starts with ensuring our teachers are well-supported and motivated.

 

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 0914 23 VIDE Officials Issue Statement on Recent Teacher Job Action and Student Protests (196 KB)

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) is actively addressing the recent teacher job action in the District of St. Croix, aiming to minimize disruptions to students' education while fostering open and constructive dialogue with the leadership of the American Federation of Teachers Local 1826 (AFT). Following a meeting held today with the AFT, VIDE officials left with a plan to move forward in conducting school in the St. Croix District on Thursday, September 21, 2023, with the assistance of the AFT.

 

Earlier today, VIDE officials were alerted to a situation where numerous schools in the district lacked teachers, either due to teachers calling in sick or indicating that they would be late. An assessment was carried out, revealing an insufficient number of staff available for instruction. Consequently, all PreK-6 and PreK-8 Schools, in addition to the John H. Woodson Junior High School had to be closed due to the shortage of teachers, adversely affecting the schools' ability to deliver instruction.

 

The Virgin Islands Department of Education acknowledges the concerns raised by our valued teachers and remains committed to addressing them in a spirit of collaboration and understanding. We recognize that educators play a vital role in shaping the future of our children and our community, and their voices are of utmost importance.

 

VIDE Senior Officials for the District of St. Croix met with AFT President, Rosa Soto-Thomas today to engage in constructive dialogue on key concerns. The VIDE was transparent in providing updates regarding measures that have already been implemented to address the legitimate concerns of the AFT membership. Specific concerns discussed with the AFT President included, but were not limited to:

 

Air Conditioning Units and Electrical Upgrades

Commissioner Wells-Hedrington emphasized the importance of upgrading electrical systems in the schools. Lessons learned from the Juanita Gardine School site highlighted the need for proper infrastructure to support air conditioning units. The Juanita Gardine School site's electrical upgrade work, initiated in August, will conclude by the end of September, ensuring optimal air conditioning operation. The VIDE has identified funding in ARPA that can be reprogrammed to allow for some of the infrastructure needs to be addressed pending approval from the U.S. Department of Education.

 

Replacement AC Units and Parts

The Department has procured replacement units and parts through CARES II funding, which will be installed upon arrival by the Operations Division to improve the functionality of our schools.

 

Impact of Heatwave on School Schedules

During the meeting, the VIDE addressed the impact of the recent heatwave on school operations. Due to extensive damage and loss of devices, which has resulted in over $3 million worth of assets, schools territory-wide are unable to revert to virtual learning as a means of addressing the heat in classrooms.  The VIDE seeks the full cooperation of parents and students in promptly returning laptops and MiFi devices to the respective school of the student or the main office headquarters. As previously announced, the most affected schools will begin adjusted schedules on Monday, September 25, 2023. 

 

Teacher Training and Certification

Approximately 80% of teachers are either uncertified or due for recertification. VIDE remains committed to providing professional development hours and seeks union collaboration to support teachers in the recertification process, with a focus on specialized subgroups such as Special Education.

 

The VIDE is steadfast in ensuring a safe, conducive, and enriching learning environment for all students and appreciates the collaboration with the union in addressing these critical issues. A focal matter of importance for the VIDE is to ensure that there is minimal instructional disruption and learning loss. Educational continuity is the primary goal to reduce the need for extensive make up days. We appreciate the support of our community, parents, and students during this time and are committed to maintaining transparency and communication about the ongoing situation.

 

The Virgin Islands Department of Education recognizes that our teachers are the heart of our education system, and their dedication to our students is unwavering. We are confident that, through collaboration and a shared commitment to the well-being of our students, we can find common ground and resolve the issues at hand.

 

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 0913 23 VIDE Responds to AFT Job Action Plans to Conduct School on 9 21 23 (100 KB)