Jan. 24, 2002 – Sen. Norman Jn Baptiste, chair of the Senate Education Committee, has invited Gov. Charles W. Turnbull's new assistant for education affairs, Manuel Justiz, to testify at two hearings scheduled in early February.
That may come as a surprise to Justiz, since he's at The University of Texas in Austin and has indicated that he intends to pursue his assignment from there.
But Baptiste said he wants Justiz's input on the Public Education Reform Act of 2001 now before the Legislature. The bill, introduced in late December by Jn Baptiste, Sen. David Jones and Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd, seeks to restructure education in the territory by transferring governance of the public education system to an elected Board of Education.
In a letter to Turnbull this week, Baptiste wrote, "In light of your recent appointment of Mr. Justiz, it is hereby requested that he be present at the aforementioned hearings to provide testimony on the bill."
Justiz told the Source in a Jan. 15 telephone interview that he may not come to the Virgin Islands at all, as his research on the territory's recent loss of accreditation for three public high schools will be conducted at UT, where he is dean of the College of Education.
"Based on our needs, we may get a small team together to come on site," he said. "I would imagine whether I personally come, circumstances will dictate."
Justiz stressed at the time, "We don't want to get in the way; we just want to be supportive." And in that same vein, he said, "I have no idea what our relationship will be with the educators; we want to be very respectful with the educators and the leadership on St. Thomas."
Based on what he has said, Justiz sees his role as that of a consultant. He is offering his services at no cost to the government.
Baptiste, taking Justiz's title at face value, said Thursday, "That doesn't sit very well with me. We need to have him here in the territory at least twice a year, considering his title. Given the political as well as the social fabric in the territory, he needs to take time out of his schedule to visit, to see where the breakdown is between the schools and the Department of Education."
Justiz's office, with the cooperation of the governor, told the V.I. news media earlier this month that all inquiries about his work should be directed to Alric Simmonds, Turnbull's deputy chief of staff. Justiz, in Texas, was deluged with calls from the local media after Turnbull announced his appointment in the State of the Territory address on Jan. 14.
Simmonds said Thursday he could not comment on Baptiste's request. "I am aware of the letter to the governor, though I haven't seen it," he said. "I will have to consult with the governor before I can comment." He said Turnbull was on St. Croix Thursday and was expected back on St. Thomas on Friday.
While he can understand Justiz's point of view, Baptiste said, "It points up the individual view I have taken all along. We have competent individuals here who can give relevant information to the governor."
Baptiste continued, "We don't need to look to Dr. Justiz for a solution. We know what the problem is, and we also know the solution. To do what is right for accreditation, we need improved teacher and student attendance, and site-based management.
The Legislature "appropriated $1.5 million for teacher training and equipment, and the Office of Management and Budget has yet to release the funds," he said. "I have written to the commissioner [of Education, Ruby Simmonds] about it, and she has said she is thankful to the Legislature for the appropriation."
In addressing the lack of substitute teachers, he said, "There are options. One option is to hire permanent substitute teachers. Another is to utilize the education students at the University of the Virgin Islands. Those students are required to take student teaching. Let them get the experience in our schools … Some will argue that the students need their time to spend studying books, but they are not fully aware of what is involved. There are jurisdictions on the mainland that do this successfully. We should take a cue from their experience."
He also suggested using temporary employment agencies such as Kelly Temporary Services on the mainland that recruit temporary and permanent teachers, in order to create a pool of permanent substitute teachers.
Baptiste said taking steps to improve education involves more time than money. "It needs shared decisions involving students, parents, teachers and administration," he said. "My position is we have UVI, so why not use their resources?"
The Senate committee hearings on the proposed Public Education Reform Act are scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 4 on St. Croix in the Legislative Conference Room in Frederiksted, and for 6 p.m. Feb. 6 on St. Thomas in the Senate chambers.
