The Virgin Islands Education Department announced on Sunday that the John H. Woodson Jr. High School on St. Croix will reopen on Feb. 12 after renovations and repairs following a flood in September. Students have been on a hybrid scheduled since Oct. 10, with a mix of virtual courses and in-person sessions.
The October closure of the campus was due to environmental concerns caused by a flood on Sept. 27 in the B wing of the campus, which was exacerbated by heat-related issues, the department said in a press release.
During the closure the campus underwent significant renovations, maintenance repairs, and mold remediation to address the existing issues, the department said. The improvements include:
• Mold remediation of the B-Wing and main office.
• Installation of new AC units, ceiling fans, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and baseboards in the B-wing.
• Installation of a new HVAC system in the main office.
• Deep cleaning of the entire campus.
• Installation of approximately 220 hallway lights.
• Pressure washing of hallways.
• Exterior courtyard painting.
“These efforts have successfully revitalized four classrooms that were previously inoperable. As we continue with ongoing maintenance, we recognize the age of our buildings, and any issues that arise post-occupancy will be promptly addressed, said Ericilda Herman, St. Croix District superintendent.
To ensure a smooth transition back to in-person learning, the Education Department has outlined the following schedule:
• Monday, Feb. 5: Faculty and staff meeting at 8 a.m. at Central High School.
• Tuesday, Feb. 6 to Friday, Feb. 9: Students will receive virtual instruction from 8 a.m. to noon, allowing teachers to prepare their classrooms for the first day back on campus.
• Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024: Virtual family meeting with students and parents via Zoom at 6 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 12: In-person learning starts at 8 a.m. with school bus transportation provided from 6:45 a.m.
Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington expressed her joy at having students back on their home campus, in person with teachers, emphasizing that it is the best place for learning to take place.
“The reopening represents a significant milestone, and we are excited to witness the positive impact on our students’ educational journey,” she said.
Superintendent Herman expressed gratitude to the parents and guardians for their unwavering support, especially acknowledging the vital role played by PTA members as key stakeholders throughout each step of this process.
“We look forward to a successful reopening and continued collaboration with our dedicated educational community,” said Herman.
