Members of the St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee on Tuesday granted a permit to build a new public school in Estate Catherineberg. The unanimous vote was reached at the end of a brief decision meeting with representatives from the Virgin Islands Education Department and their chosen contractor.
Tuesday’s vote by CZM commissioners Andrew Penn, Brion Morrisette, Raef Boulon, Elisa Runyon and Kurt Marsh Jr. marks a major step toward a long-awaited relocation for the Julius E. Sprauve School.
Plans to relocate St. John’s only public school from its current location in Cruz Bay have been under discussion for several years; efforts to turn plans into action accelerated after the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed a land swap agreement with the National Park Service in 2023 to establish a location for the new Julius Sprauve School.
Just before the vote to approve, commissioners heard from Pam Loeffelman, the principal for DLR Group. The Nebraska-based firm was chosen by Education to design a reconstruction master plan for all public schools damaged during the 2017 storms. They also heard from Chaneel Callwood, the Education Department’s new schools architect.
Callwood addressed the major concerns raised at an April 15 meeting, where design plans were presented in detail. Commissioners and members of the public said the plans did not include an athletic field — something they said should be included.
She mentioned plans to meet with officials at the V.I. Housing Authority Aug. 12 about providing a space near the school in Estate Adrian.
“Are we getting a positive response from the government entity owning the land?” asked Morrisette.
Callwood said yes. “It sounds great. It’s nice to know we have options,” said commission chair Penn. He thanked the DLR executive and Callwood for their work to date and said he was pleased to play a role in moving the new school plan forward.
“The project is truly dear to my heart because I am a true St. Johnian, and I am excited to be a part of it,” he said.
