On September 10, 2024, the Virgin Islands Department of Education’s Division of Special Education held a critical meeting to address concerns and clarify questions raised during the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development hearing on September 9, 2024. The inquiry focused on a matter involving a Special Education (SPED) student’s transportation.

The meeting convened key stakeholders, including former Senator Nelly O'Reilly, concerned parents, Special Education Bus Supervisor Ms. Peters, Special Education District Director Dr. Tanya Lockhart, and Deputy Superintendent Andrea Shillingford.

The meeting was prompted by a recent misunderstanding regarding a student's transportation. A parent initially believed their child was not picked up due to incorrect information that SPED buses lacked fuel. However, upon review, it was verified that SPED Bus Supervisor, Ms. Peters, made multiple attempts to contact the parent when the student was absent due to illness. Unfortunately, the parent missed these calls.

This incident underscored the critical need for clear and effective communication regarding the division’s transportation procedures. SPED students typically receive door-to-door transportation services unless otherwise agreed upon by the child's education team. When a student is absent, the SPED Bus Supervisor contacts the parents the following day to confirm attendance and coordinate transportation. In this case, the student was absent on Friday, and the parent missed the follow-up call on Monday.

During the meeting, Deputy Superintendent Shillingford emphasized the importance of transparent communication and thorough fact-checking to avoid misunderstandings. The productive dialogue allowed for the parent to express concerns and feel supported by the SPED Division. Additionally, former Senator O'Reilly shared her commitment to verifying information directly with the VIDE. The VIDE values the opportunity to maintain open communication with concerned stakeholders and community advocates.

Deputy Superintendent Shillingford expressed appreciation to the parent and former Senator Nelly O'Reilly for their continued advocacy. “We are grateful for the parent’s commitment to their child’s well-being and for former Senator O'Reilly's ongoing support of our community. Their advocacy ensures that we continuously strive to improve our services,” Stated Deputy Shillingford.

The Deputy Superintendent also commended Ms. Peters for her dedication to her role as SPED Bus Supervisor. “Ms. Peters’ commitment to ensuring our students' safe transportation is exemplary. Her efforts to maintain clear lines of communication with parents, even in challenging situations, are vital to our department's success,” Shillingford remarked.

To enhance transparency and prevent future misunderstandings, the VIDE’s SPED Division reiterated its standard procedures for special education transportation: when a student is absent, the SPED Bus Supervisor will contact parents the next day to verify attendance and arrange transportation. Parents are encouraged to check voicemails regularly and return any missed calls, as these may be from the SPED Bus Supervisor. Additionally, parents are urged to notify the school or the SPED Bus Supervisor in advance of any planned absences to facilitate efficient route planning.

This meeting underscores the division’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and ongoing support for families within the special education community. The Division of Special Education will continue its diligent efforts to address concerns and enhance services for all students. 

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Donwload press release here:  pdf Press Release 0905 24 VIDE Clarifies Senator's Inquiry Regarding Special Education Bus Transportation (138 KB)

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)