May 8, 2002 – Adding his voice to the cacophony decrying the state of the territory's education system, Sen. Carlton Dowe sent a letter to Gov. Charles W. Turnbull on Monday asking him to create a commission to address modernizing and upgrading the territory's schools.
Dowe suggested the commission comprise principals, members of the Senate Education Committee (of which Dowe is a member), Education Department officials, PTA presidents and Turnbull's capital projects coordinator.
Dowe and Sen. Donald "Ducks" Cole have legislation in the works to construct two new schools on St. Thomas, a proposal they want the proposed commission to study. "It is painfully obvious to anyone who cares about the education of our children that a serious assessment must be made of the facility needs of the Department of Education," Dowe said in his letter.
He noted that Jeanette Smith-Barry, Charlotte Amalie High School principal, told the Education Committee last week that CAHS, constructed in 1955, is overcrowded and in poor repair.
Dowe told Turnbull the commission should issue a report within 90 days after it is formed. "I believe a master plan for upgrading existing schools and constructing new schools must be generated," he said, reminding the governor of his oft-stated vow that "education is my No. 1 priority,"
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