ST. THOMAS — Senate President Myron Jackson on Monday afternoon held a brief meeting with senators and Commissioner of Education Sharon McCollum to discuss growing dissent regarding the placement of modular classrooms at the Charlotte Amalie High School track, according to Mr. Jackson’s office.
“The controversy over the modular installation at the CAHS track and field has been met with mixed emotions,” Mr. Jackson said. “The challenges of land sites and local funding compounded with the requirements imposed by FEMA and eligible funding has made this crisis a stressful situation for students, faculty, parents, the Department and the community.”
Students from the school voiced their concerns at the Legislature and through the streets with active protests against the module placement led by the marching band and others last week. Chanting, “don’t steal the field,” they appealed to lawmakers to protect their athletic venue by finding alternative locations for the modular units.
“After assessing all the options, the track and field may be the best option available with the use of Lionel Roberts Stadium,” Mr. Jackson said after the meeting. “Tomorrow the community will have the opportunity to see the options and learn of the FEMA process involved in the decision-making of this site selection. I would encourage the community to participate in the discussion.”
The meeting comes a day before the Department of Education’s own town hall meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Charlotte Amalie High School auditorium, where the community will be updated on the Temporary School Facilities Project in the St. Thomas-St. John district.
Tags: modular classrooms, usvi