Francis Urges Education Commissioner To Host Town Hall To Discuss 2019 School Year Plans

Senator Novelle Francis on Wednesday said he sent a letter to Dept. of Education Commissioner Sharon McCollum, asking her department to engage the community and its residents in the decision-making process as they plan to make accommodations for the upcoming school year.

In the letter sent to the commissioner on Tuesday, Mr. Francis said he read the report issued by the Virgin Islands Department of Education last week, and had concerns.

“While I commend the Department and your team for compiling the very comprehensive report of the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on the territory’s public school system, I do not believe the Department has factored the concerns of all stakeholders into its strategic plans,” he said. “For this reason, and in light of the proposed changes which will significantly affect parents, students and teachers across the territory, I am asking that you consider hosting town hall style meetings in each district, so as to allow residents the opportunity to comment on the proposed plan.”

Mr. Francis said the plan the department has put forward expects the community to adapt to a number of changes to include the placement of modular classrooms on school campuses and the relocation of some schools to other school campuses like the Lew Muckle Elementary School to the Ricardo Richards Elementary School’s campus on St. Croix. He said his constituents have contacted him with valid concerns about the proposed changes and the department would be doing a disservice to the community should it proceed without hearing their concerns or explaining the rationale behind the decisions articulated in the status report.

“Like you, I am committed to doing all that I can to support the return of normalcy to our public education system. I am certain that our community wants the same for our children,” said the second-term Democrat. “However, I do not believe you will regain the community’s confidence and buy-in needed for them to return their children to the public school system for the 2018-2019 school year, without providing an opportunity for all stakeholders to participate in this process.”

D.O.E. last week held a press conference detailing its plans for the 2019 school year, with the 2017-18 school year coming to a close on June 29. “The Department of Education has made the decision to end this school year June 29, 2018 based upon the approval we have received from FEMA to move forward in the ordering, site preparation and placement of Modular and Sprung structures for the upcoming 2018-19 school year,” said Ms. McCollum. “We will be undertaking the huge tasks necessary to take the public schools off of split session for SY 2018-19.”