ST. CROIX — There are no plans to make the current Arthur A. Richards Junior High School the permanent home of Alexander Henderson Elementary School students, while moving the junior high students to John H. Woodson. However, there are ongoing discussions on a massive restructuring effort of schools in the St. Croix District.
That’s according to St. Croix District Superintendent of Schools, Carlos McGregor, who in a phone interview with The Consortium on Tuesday night sought to dispel rumors that plans led by him were afoot to remove Arthur A. Richards students from their legacy campus in Frederiksted. The Consortium was contacted by multiple parents and a teacher who shared their concerns.
Mr. McGregor said he had gotten calls from two senators with the same concerns, but he emphatically denied the claims.
“No truth to that at all. I was quite shocked and surprised when I heard at least two senators called me with the same concerns you have,” Mr. McGregor said. “As a matter of fact there has been no discussions. Arthur Richards Junior High School will remain intact at its present location.”
He did confirm that meetings were taking place on a plan to restructure the district’s schools. The Department of Education (D.O.E.) has spoken about, though not elaborated on, potential plans to restructure schools because of two issues: the lack of educators; the territory continues to hemorrhage teachers as many balk at the territory’s pension system deductions and smile at the lower cost of living and better salaries offered on the U.S. mainland. The second problem is that school population, since the devastating storms of 2017, has decreased. D.O.E. sees an opportunity for territory-wide consolidation, according to D.O.E. Commissioner Nominee Racquel Berry-Benjamin. “While our preferred choice would be to have smaller class sizes, our current reality does not allow us to do so,” Ms. Berry-Benjamin said during a Senate hearing earlier this month.
In confirming the ongoing discussions, Mr. McGregor said stakeholders would eventually be brought to the table. “We’re currently looking at possible restructuring of schools in the district, and as soon as we’re ready to share those changes, all stakeholders will be involved in the process — to include PTAs, the unions, and faculty and staff of various schools,” he said.
Mr. McGregor added, “Right now we’re examining based on the current population of some of our schools. Some of our schools have gone down in student population, so we’re examining several things at this point, all in the best interest of our students. At the appropriate time, if and when we do decide to make necessary changes, that will be shared with all stakeholders.
“But at this very minute and into the new school year, Arthur A. Richards will not be a part of any restructuring for the upcoming school year.” The superintendent was not clear on potential changes at the school beyond the 2020 school year.
Asked whether stakeholders would be informed after D.O.E. has made its decision on its restructuring plans, or whether they would be involved in the decision-making process, Mr. McGregor said, “Our leadership team will be meeting to discuss just that — how any possible change would be rolled out. We’re meeting this week to discuss just that.”
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