Determined to speed up repairs at some of the Virgin Islands’ deteriorating public schools, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull Thursday declared a state of emergency in the Department of Education.
The emergency proclamation will allow the Departments of Education and Property and Procurement to purchase supplies, materials, equipment and contractual services on a priority basis, according to a Government House release. The move will also speed up the completion of construction projects estimated at more than $100,000.
The governor’s decision specifically targets renovations at Charlotte Amalie and St. Croix Central High Schools, and the upgrading of the special education program.
"The Department of Education must be treated as a priority in order to address its myriad of problems and to avert a crisis in the educational system," Turnbull said.
The governor’s announcement comes after months of discussions with members of the V.I. Board of Education and leaders of the American Federation of Teachers.
Cecil Benjamin, president of the St. Croix chapter of the AFT, said the organization is "very pleased" that the governor has "finally decided to carry out the commitment" to declare the state of emergency.
"I’m glad he made the bold step to give (the Departments of Education and Property and Procurement) the authority" to streamline the procurement process, Benjamin said.
Now the AFT is looking to see what Turnbull’s next move will be. Benjamin said that in addition to the decaying school infrastructure a number of other issues still exist, including low starting pay for teachers and placing teachers on negotiated pay steps.
"What are the plans to rectify some of the problems we have it the Department of Education?" Benjamin asked. "You cannot be an effective teacher if the conditions under which you are working . . . are not conducive to learning."
Meanwhile, Jonathon James, one of the parents from a group on St. Croix that threatened to sue the Department of Education over conditions in the public school system, said that in light of the declaration the parents are willing to work with the governor and education officials. "Now I want to see some action," he said.
The governor’s emergency declaration will remain in effect until January 1, 2001, according to Government House.
