The Virgin Islands Board of Education (VIBE) participated in the recent Opening of Schools Tour, during which it had the opportunity to visit various educational facilities and engage with school leaders and teachers. The board remains dedicated to ensuring that every student in its community has access to a safe and conducive learning environment.
During the tour, the board, through its School Plants and Facilities Committee, identified several critical areas of need within USVI schools, particularly regarding maintenance and infrastructure. The board recognizes that these challenges, including ongoing issues related to the heat in classrooms, require immediate attention to ensure students and educators can focus on what truly matters — teaching and learning.
Introduction
The report is available on the V.I. Board of Education’s website. To address these concerns, the board will be working closely with the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance, as well as the Department of Education, to develop and implement effective solutions. Together, we will take proactive steps to mitigate the heat situation in classrooms and tackle other maintenance challenges, ensuring our schools are equipped to provide a safe, healthy and comfortable learning environment for all.
The board is also concerned about the recent protest at Charlotte Amalie High School and acknowledges the seriousness of the issues and concerns presented by the students and staff. VIBE remains committed to supporting all parties involved and hopes for an immediate and satisfactory resolution to these concerns to ensure a positive and productive learning environment.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Virgin Islands Board of Education is to provide leadership and oversight, set policy and advocate for continuous improvement of the USVI public education system.
Vision Statement
Each child is provided with the best quality education which guarantees academic excellence, promotes Virgin Islands history and culture, and builds strong local and global communities.
In line with these efforts, a meeting will be scheduled soon with the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance. This meeting aims to learn more about the bureau’s goals and provide a comprehensive status update on the current state of school maintenance. The board believes that through collaboration and open communication, it can make meaningful progress toward enhancing the quality of educational facilities.
The Virgin Islands Board of Education is committed to transparency and will continue to share its findings and progress with the community as it strives to improve the schools. The board looks forward to working together with partners, educators and the community to create a positive impact on USVI schools.
For more information or to stay updated on the board’s efforts, visit the website at www.myviboe.com or contact the Virgin Islands Board of Education at 774-4546 on St. Thomas or 772-4144 on St. Croix.
