NOTICE OF CONTINUANCE
The Economic Development Commission Show Cause Hearing on Medical Air Services International, Inc., scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, at 10 a.m. at the Palms Court Harbourview Hotel, No.'s 4&5 Gamble Nordsidevej, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands has been continued until further notice.
NOTICE OF CONTINUANCE
The Economic Development Commission Show Cause Hearing on Medical Air Services International, Inc., scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, at 10 a.m. at the Palms Court Harbourview Hotel, No.'s 4&5 Gamble Nordsidevej, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands has been continued until further notice.
'BE DEVIANT; CHALLENGE CONCESSIVE BEHAVIOUR'
Dear Source:
In a recent debate with local GOP leadership, it was suggested that if the local GOP wants to be successful, I, and others, must practice constant concessive behavior. Webster defines being concessive as going along, not making waves, to compromise, concede, give in or give up.
For years, studies have been conducted to understand why individuals go along or remain silent in cases when they know activities are wrong (Is Silent Killing Your Company, Harvard Business Review, May 2003, pg 53). Research studies have stated that fear is the major reasons individuals do not speak up, generally because most are consumed with keeping their jobs, paychecks or relationships in tact. So what can be attributed to why so many in leadership positions here in the territory are remaining silent on so many issues? Are these studies correct and right on point, and therefore answer the question of why we do not hear members of the Governor’s cabinet speaking about our financial crisis? Little is stated about how money is actually being managed or mismanaged.
As I read and watch the debates and solutions being presented to solve our current financial crisis one has to wonder why more individuals have not spoken out; are we all guilty of concessive behavior? The Administration’s method for finding a solution to such an enormous financial crisis is risky, but mostly goes unchallenged. I question how effective the current administration will be by using a suggestion-box approach to finding a quick solution. If these ideas are not analyzed to determine their long-term impact we may be positioning ourselves for larger problems down the line.
It is my hope that as these individuals sit around the room, thinking up ways to address our immediate needs, that they are also considering that every action causes a reaction, every choice has a consequence, and short-term solutions often have long-term impacts. Realistically, how can we expect those that created the problem to find a solution? One suggested approach would be to create a roundtable of individuals from private businesses and organizations, government employees of all levels, union representatives and concerned citizens.
Although, our governor is Democrat, the Senate majority is mostly Democrats, and the Congresswoman is a Democrat, to expect anything other than agreement down party lines would be unrealistic. Many are looking to blame someone. We should not, in all fairness, let the Democrats shoulder all the blame, nor the sole responsibility for finding a solution. At the federal level, we have a Republican House, Senate and a Republican president; thus, the local GOP should have positioned itself to be a more powerful group by using this rare balance of power to bring more assistance here to the territory.
Unfortunately, it has only been recently that the local GOP leadership has made a public statement about the deficit. I commend the State Chair (GOP) for finally speaking out; however, one might say that he is a day late and a dollar short. Like many others, the local GOP leadership is now eager to jump on the bandwagon of criticism; yet, it has offered little as viable solutions. We all know that we have a deficit that exceeds 100 million dollars, and restating that in an article does little to reduce our deficit.
What would have been helpful would have been to offer to partner and work together with the Administration to find ways to reduce the deficit.
We should all question why local GOP leadership has made it a practice of exhibiting a pattern of concessive behavior. One does not have to look far to see the results of what can take place when silence prevails; for example, Enron, Tyco, WorldCom and the Watergate and Iran/Contra affairs. Thus, the concessive behavior exhibited by the local GOP is not an option, especially when our government is overwhelmed by so many problems. The local GOP should be meeting with Democratic leaders to offer suggestions for working (together) to improve the territory’s fiscal crisis and other pressing issues like education, sewage, Tourism, crime and the high rate of unemployment on St. Croix. Sometime I wonder if I am the only one that notices the concessive behavior of the leadership of the local GOP and its resulting diminishing effectiveness.
More often than I care to count I have been labeled a troublemaker, hard to get along with or a hot head. Technically, I could be called a deviant. But, not in the sense once might think. According the many behavioral scientists, to act deviantly can be positive. In fact, studies have shown that deviance is a creative way of seeking out and inventing new ways of doing things. By challenging a group’s concessive behavior, the deviant can serve to change the group’s unchallenged concessive patterns.
The problems the VI is facing are of such magnitude that they require a gathering of all minds, not just a few. Clearly this is not the time for any of us to concede.
Lawrence Boschulte
St. Thomas
In a recent debate with local GOP leadership, it was suggested that if the local GOP wants to be successful, I, and others, must practice constant concessive behavior. Webster defines being concessive as going along, not making waves, to compromise, concede, give in or give up.
For years, studies have been conducted to understand why individuals go along or remain silent in cases when they know activities are wrong (Is Silent Killing Your Company, Harvard Business Review, May 2003, pg 53). Research studies have stated that fear is the major reasons individuals do not speak up, generally because most are consumed with keeping their jobs, paychecks or relationships in tact. So what can be attributed to why so many in leadership positions here in the territory are remaining silent on so many issues? Are these studies correct and right on point, and therefore answer the question of why we do not hear members of the Governor’s cabinet speaking about our financial crisis? Little is stated about how money is actually being managed or mismanaged.
As I read and watch the debates and solutions being presented to solve our current financial crisis one has to wonder why more individuals have not spoken out; are we all guilty of concessive behavior? The Administration’s method for finding a solution to such an enormous financial crisis is risky, but mostly goes unchallenged. I question how effective the current administration will be by using a suggestion-box approach to finding a quick solution. If these ideas are not analyzed to determine their long-term impact we may be positioning ourselves for larger problems down the line.
It is my hope that as these individuals sit around the room, thinking up ways to address our immediate needs, that they are also considering that every action causes a reaction, every choice has a consequence, and short-term solutions often have long-term impacts. Realistically, how can we expect those that created the problem to find a solution? One suggested approach would be to create a roundtable of individuals from private businesses and organizations, government employees of all levels, union representatives and concerned citizens.
Although, our governor is Democrat, the Senate majority is mostly Democrats, and the Congresswoman is a Democrat, to expect anything other than agreement down party lines would be unrealistic. Many are looking to blame someone. We should not, in all fairness, let the Democrats shoulder all the blame, nor the sole responsibility for finding a solution. At the federal level, we have a Republican House, Senate and a Republican president; thus, the local GOP should have positioned itself to be a more powerful group by using this rare balance of power to bring more assistance here to the territory.
Unfortunately, it has only been recently that the local GOP leadership has made a public statement about the deficit. I commend the State Chair (GOP) for finally speaking out; however, one might say that he is a day late and a dollar short. Like many others, the local GOP leadership is now eager to jump on the bandwagon of criticism; yet, it has offered little as viable solutions. We all know that we have a deficit that exceeds 100 million dollars, and restating that in an article does little to reduce our deficit.
What would have been helpful would have been to offer to partner and work together with the Administration to find ways to reduce the deficit.
We should all question why local GOP leadership has made it a practice of exhibiting a pattern of concessive behavior. One does not have to look far to see the results of what can take place when silence prevails; for example, Enron, Tyco, WorldCom and the Watergate and Iran/Contra affairs. Thus, the concessive behavior exhibited by the local GOP is not an option, especially when our government is overwhelmed by so many problems. The local GOP should be meeting with Democratic leaders to offer suggestions for working (together) to improve the territory’s fiscal crisis and other pressing issues like education, sewage, Tourism, crime and the high rate of unemployment on St. Croix. Sometime I wonder if I am the only one that notices the concessive behavior of the leadership of the local GOP and its resulting diminishing effectiveness.
More often than I care to count I have been labeled a troublemaker, hard to get along with or a hot head. Technically, I could be called a deviant. But, not in the sense once might think. According the many behavioral scientists, to act deviantly can be positive. In fact, studies have shown that deviance is a creative way of seeking out and inventing new ways of doing things. By challenging a group’s concessive behavior, the deviant can serve to change the group’s unchallenged concessive patterns.
The problems the VI is facing are of such magnitude that they require a gathering of all minds, not just a few. Clearly this is not the time for any of us to concede.
Lawrence Boschulte
St. Thomas
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
JUDGE: LEGISLATION COULD LIFT TAX MORATORIUM
June 2, 2003 – Having ordered the V.I. government to suspend the collection of property taxes several weeks ago, District Judge Thomas K. Moore said on Monday that he'd be willing to reconsider his stance if lawmakers can come up with a new tax collection plan he finds acceptable. At a hearing in his St. Thomas courtroom, Moore said he hadn't intended to comment on the Turnbull administration's proposal to collect only voluntary payments of property taxes for the years1999 through 2004. But he said he did so, "because it was done at the time the case was actively being litigated."
Moore said he has no problem with the government collecting property taxes. His concern is with the system used to assess the value of real property for tax purposes. In his May 12 ruling on the consolidated portion of the current tax case involving 11 plaintiffs, he ordered the V.I. government to stop issuing new tax bills until the assessment system is reformed.
But at Monday's hearing he stated that "nothing in the memorandum was decreed to prevent anyone from paying their taxes if they wanted to."
In a bid to get the moratorium on tax collections lifted, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull included a tax-payment provision in his pending package of borrowing, taxing and spending proposals to address the territory's fiscal crisis. It provides for property owners who pay their 1999 through 2004 taxes prior to enactment of the court-ordered revised assessment system to be entitled to a credit for any overpayment toward their subsequent year's tax bill. The package of bills is to be taken up by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.
According to David Bornn, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Moore expressed concern about what would happen to disputed tax bills dating from before 1999 or after 2004. He also raised the issue of what protections property owners would have if they agreed to pay estimated taxes in lieu of receiving bills.
Moore also questioned the calculations used to determine how much money the government should set aside in a fund for issuing rebates to property owners who overpay their tax bills.
He summed up his concerns to a V.I. Justice Department legal team headed by Assistant Attorney General Kerry Drue.
In a special session in February, while the consolidated tax case was under way in Moore's court, the Senate approved legislation submitted by the governor providing for 2001 through 2004 property tax bills to be sent out using 1999 valuations. Despite Moore's chastisement of the government's action, Turnbull signed the bill into law as Act No. 6574.
Moore said on Monday that the government needs to amend the act to provide for:
– Billing property owners at 1999 levels indefinitely until the tax assessment system is changed.
– Changing the assessment system.
– Making sure there are sufficient funds available for rebates to those who are found to have overpaid their taxes
Moore suggested that up to $1 million be placed in the fund for rebates. Drue said the V.I. government could not decide how much would be adequate and so turned to the court for guidance; however, the judge said it will be up to the government to decide.
Moore also appointed Joseph Hunt as special master to oversee changes to the property tax assessment system. Hunt was appointed more than two years ago to oversee implementation of the December 2000 settlement of the landmark case in which two St. Thomas commercial property owners challenged the government's practice of assessing property on the basis of replacement value and not market value.
As both a licensed appraiser and a former tax assessor, Hunt brings to the task a background in viewing property assessments from both the owner's and the government's point of view. "He's eminently qualified," Bornn said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Moore said he has no problem with the government collecting property taxes. His concern is with the system used to assess the value of real property for tax purposes. In his May 12 ruling on the consolidated portion of the current tax case involving 11 plaintiffs, he ordered the V.I. government to stop issuing new tax bills until the assessment system is reformed.
But at Monday's hearing he stated that "nothing in the memorandum was decreed to prevent anyone from paying their taxes if they wanted to."
In a bid to get the moratorium on tax collections lifted, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull included a tax-payment provision in his pending package of borrowing, taxing and spending proposals to address the territory's fiscal crisis. It provides for property owners who pay their 1999 through 2004 taxes prior to enactment of the court-ordered revised assessment system to be entitled to a credit for any overpayment toward their subsequent year's tax bill. The package of bills is to be taken up by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.
According to David Bornn, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Moore expressed concern about what would happen to disputed tax bills dating from before 1999 or after 2004. He also raised the issue of what protections property owners would have if they agreed to pay estimated taxes in lieu of receiving bills.
Moore also questioned the calculations used to determine how much money the government should set aside in a fund for issuing rebates to property owners who overpay their tax bills.
He summed up his concerns to a V.I. Justice Department legal team headed by Assistant Attorney General Kerry Drue.
In a special session in February, while the consolidated tax case was under way in Moore's court, the Senate approved legislation submitted by the governor providing for 2001 through 2004 property tax bills to be sent out using 1999 valuations. Despite Moore's chastisement of the government's action, Turnbull signed the bill into law as Act No. 6574.
Moore said on Monday that the government needs to amend the act to provide for:
– Billing property owners at 1999 levels indefinitely until the tax assessment system is changed.
– Changing the assessment system.
– Making sure there are sufficient funds available for rebates to those who are found to have overpaid their taxes
Moore suggested that up to $1 million be placed in the fund for rebates. Drue said the V.I. government could not decide how much would be adequate and so turned to the court for guidance; however, the judge said it will be up to the government to decide.
Moore also appointed Joseph Hunt as special master to oversee changes to the property tax assessment system. Hunt was appointed more than two years ago to oversee implementation of the December 2000 settlement of the landmark case in which two St. Thomas commercial property owners challenged the government's practice of assessing property on the basis of replacement value and not market value.
As both a licensed appraiser and a former tax assessor, Hunt brings to the task a background in viewing property assessments from both the owner's and the government's point of view. "He's eminently qualified," Bornn said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
JUDGE: LEGISLATION COULD LIFT TAX MORATORIUM
June 2, 2003 – Having ordered the V.I. government to suspend the collection of property taxes several weeks ago, District Judge Thomas K. Moore said on Monday that he'd be willing to reconsider his stance if lawmakers can come up with a new tax collection plan he finds acceptable. At a hearing in his St. Thomas courtroom, Moore said he hadn't intended to comment on the Turnbull administration's proposal to collect only voluntary payments of property taxes for the years1999 through 2004. But he said he did so, "because it was done at the time the case was actively being litigated."
Moore said he has no problem with the government collecting property taxes. His concern is with the system used to assess the value of real property for tax purposes. In his May 12 ruling on the consolidated portion of the current tax case involving 11 plaintiffs, he ordered the V.I. government to stop issuing new tax bills until the assessment system is reformed.
But at Monday's hearing he stated that "nothing in the memorandum was decreed to prevent anyone from paying their taxes if they wanted to."
In a bid to get the moratorium on tax collections lifted, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull included a tax-payment provision in his pending package of borrowing, taxing and spending proposals to address the territory's fiscal crisis. It provides for property owners who pay their 1999 through 2004 taxes prior to enactment of the court-ordered revised assessment system to be entitled to a credit for any overpayment toward their subsequent year's tax bill. The package of bills is to be taken up by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.
According to David Bornn, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Moore expressed concern about what would happen to disputed tax bills dating from before 1999 or after 2004. He also raised the issue of what protections property owners would have if they agreed to pay estimated taxes in lieu of receiving bills.
Moore also questioned the calculations used to determine how much money the government should set aside in a fund for issuing rebates to property owners who overpay their tax bills.
He summed up his concerns to a V.I. Justice Department legal team headed by Assistant Attorney General Kerry Drue.
In a special session in February, while the consolidated tax case was under way in Moore's court, the Senate approved legislation submitted by the governor providing for 2001 through 2004 property tax bills to be sent out using 1999 valuations. Despite Moore's chastisement of the government's action, Turnbull signed the bill into law as Act No. 6574.
Moore said on Monday that the government needs to amend the act to provide for:
– Billing property owners at 1999 levels indefinitely until the tax assessment system is changed.
– Changing the assessment system.
– Making sure there are sufficient funds available for rebates to those who are found to have overpaid their taxes
Moore suggested that up to $1 million be placed in the fund for rebates. Drue said the V.I. government could not decide how much would be adequate and so turned to the court for guidance; however, the judge said it will be up to the government to decide.
Moore also appointed Joseph Hunt as special master to oversee changes to the property tax assessment system. Hunt was appointed more than two years ago to oversee implementation of the December 2000 settlement of the landmark case in which two St. Thomas commercial property owners challenged the government's practice of assessing property on the basis of replacement value and not market value.
As both a licensed appraiser and a former tax assessor, Hunt brings to the task a background in viewing property assessments from both the owner's and the government's point of view. "He's eminently qualified," Bornn said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Moore said he has no problem with the government collecting property taxes. His concern is with the system used to assess the value of real property for tax purposes. In his May 12 ruling on the consolidated portion of the current tax case involving 11 plaintiffs, he ordered the V.I. government to stop issuing new tax bills until the assessment system is reformed.
But at Monday's hearing he stated that "nothing in the memorandum was decreed to prevent anyone from paying their taxes if they wanted to."
In a bid to get the moratorium on tax collections lifted, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull included a tax-payment provision in his pending package of borrowing, taxing and spending proposals to address the territory's fiscal crisis. It provides for property owners who pay their 1999 through 2004 taxes prior to enactment of the court-ordered revised assessment system to be entitled to a credit for any overpayment toward their subsequent year's tax bill. The package of bills is to be taken up by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.
According to David Bornn, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Moore expressed concern about what would happen to disputed tax bills dating from before 1999 or after 2004. He also raised the issue of what protections property owners would have if they agreed to pay estimated taxes in lieu of receiving bills.
Moore also questioned the calculations used to determine how much money the government should set aside in a fund for issuing rebates to property owners who overpay their tax bills.
He summed up his concerns to a V.I. Justice Department legal team headed by Assistant Attorney General Kerry Drue.
In a special session in February, while the consolidated tax case was under way in Moore's court, the Senate approved legislation submitted by the governor providing for 2001 through 2004 property tax bills to be sent out using 1999 valuations. Despite Moore's chastisement of the government's action, Turnbull signed the bill into law as Act No. 6574.
Moore said on Monday that the government needs to amend the act to provide for:
– Billing property owners at 1999 levels indefinitely until the tax assessment system is changed.
– Changing the assessment system.
– Making sure there are sufficient funds available for rebates to those who are found to have overpaid their taxes
Moore suggested that up to $1 million be placed in the fund for rebates. Drue said the V.I. government could not decide how much would be adequate and so turned to the court for guidance; however, the judge said it will be up to the government to decide.
Moore also appointed Joseph Hunt as special master to oversee changes to the property tax assessment system. Hunt was appointed more than two years ago to oversee implementation of the December 2000 settlement of the landmark case in which two St. Thomas commercial property owners challenged the government's practice of assessing property on the basis of replacement value and not market value.
As both a licensed appraiser and a former tax assessor, Hunt brings to the task a background in viewing property assessments from both the owner's and the government's point of view. "He's eminently qualified," Bornn said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
JUDGE: LEGISLATION COULD LIFT TAX MORATORIUM
June 2, 2003 – Having ordered the V.I. government to suspend the collection of property taxes several weeks ago, District Judge Thomas K. Moore said on Monday that he'd be willing to reconsider his stance if lawmakers can come up with a new tax collection plan he finds acceptable. At a hearing in his St. Thomas courtroom, Moore said he hadn't intended to comment on the Turnbull administration's proposal to collect only voluntary payments of property taxes for the years1999 through 2004. But he said he did so, "because it was done at the time the case was actively being litigated."
Moore said he has no problem with the government collecting property taxes. His concern is with the system used to assess the value of real property for tax purposes. In his May 12 ruling on the consolidated portion of the current tax case involving 11 plaintiffs, he ordered the V.I. government to stop issuing new tax bills until the assessment system is reformed.
But at Monday's hearing he stated that "nothing in the memorandum was decreed to prevent anyone from paying their taxes if they wanted to."
In a bid to get the moratorium on tax collections lifted, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull included a tax-payment provision in his pending package of borrowing, taxing and spending proposals to address the territory's fiscal crisis. It provides for property owners who pay their 1999 through 2004 taxes prior to enactment of the court-ordered revised assessment system to be entitled to a credit for any overpayment toward their subsequent year's tax bill. The package of bills is to be taken up by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.
According to David Bornn, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Moore expressed concern about what would happen to disputed tax bills dating from before 1999 or after 2004. He also raised the issue of what protections property owners would have if they agreed to pay estimated taxes in lieu of receiving bills.
Moore also questioned the calculations used to determine how much money the government should set aside in a fund for issuing rebates to property owners who overpay their tax bills.
He summed up his concerns to a V.I. Justice Department legal team headed by Assistant Attorney General Kerry Drue.
In a special session in February, while the consolidated tax case was under way in Moore's court, the Senate approved legislation submitted by the governor providing for 2001 through 2004 property tax bills to be sent out using 1999 valuations. Despite Moore's chastisement of the government's action, Turnbull signed the bill into law as Act No. 6574.
Moore said on Monday that the government needs to amend the act to provide for:
– Billing property owners at 1999 levels indefinitely until the tax assessment system is changed.
– Changing the assessment system.
– Making sure there are sufficient funds available for rebates to those who are found to have overpaid their taxes
Moore suggested that up to $1 million be placed in the fund for rebates. Drue said the V.I. government could not decide how much would be adequate and so turned to the court for guidance; however, the judge said it will be up to the government to decide.
Moore also appointed Joseph Hunt as special master to oversee changes to the property tax assessment system. Hunt was appointed more than two years ago to oversee implementation of the December 2000 settlement of the landmark case in which two St. Thomas commercial property owners challenged the government's practice of assessing property on the basis of replacement value and not market value.
As both a licensed appraiser and a former tax assessor, Hunt brings to the task a background in viewing property assessments from both the owner's and the government's point of view. "He's eminently qualified," Bornn said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
Moore said he has no problem with the government collecting property taxes. His concern is with the system used to assess the value of real property for tax purposes. In his May 12 ruling on the consolidated portion of the current tax case involving 11 plaintiffs, he ordered the V.I. government to stop issuing new tax bills until the assessment system is reformed.
But at Monday's hearing he stated that "nothing in the memorandum was decreed to prevent anyone from paying their taxes if they wanted to."
In a bid to get the moratorium on tax collections lifted, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull included a tax-payment provision in his pending package of borrowing, taxing and spending proposals to address the territory's fiscal crisis. It provides for property owners who pay their 1999 through 2004 taxes prior to enactment of the court-ordered revised assessment system to be entitled to a credit for any overpayment toward their subsequent year's tax bill. The package of bills is to be taken up by the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday.
According to David Bornn, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, Moore expressed concern about what would happen to disputed tax bills dating from before 1999 or after 2004. He also raised the issue of what protections property owners would have if they agreed to pay estimated taxes in lieu of receiving bills.
Moore also questioned the calculations used to determine how much money the government should set aside in a fund for issuing rebates to property owners who overpay their tax bills.
He summed up his concerns to a V.I. Justice Department legal team headed by Assistant Attorney General Kerry Drue.
In a special session in February, while the consolidated tax case was under way in Moore's court, the Senate approved legislation submitted by the governor providing for 2001 through 2004 property tax bills to be sent out using 1999 valuations. Despite Moore's chastisement of the government's action, Turnbull signed the bill into law as Act No. 6574.
Moore said on Monday that the government needs to amend the act to provide for:
– Billing property owners at 1999 levels indefinitely until the tax assessment system is changed.
– Changing the assessment system.
– Making sure there are sufficient funds available for rebates to those who are found to have overpaid their taxes
Moore suggested that up to $1 million be placed in the fund for rebates. Drue said the V.I. government could not decide how much would be adequate and so turned to the court for guidance; however, the judge said it will be up to the government to decide.
Moore also appointed Joseph Hunt as special master to oversee changes to the property tax assessment system. Hunt was appointed more than two years ago to oversee implementation of the December 2000 settlement of the landmark case in which two St. Thomas commercial property owners challenged the government's practice of assessing property on the basis of replacement value and not market value.
As both a licensed appraiser and a former tax assessor, Hunt brings to the task a background in viewing property assessments from both the owner's and the government's point of view. "He's eminently qualified," Bornn said.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
MICHAEL HOPING FOR KEAN CANDIDACY BY YEAREND
June 2, 2003 – Education Commissioner Noreen Michael confirmed at press conference on Monday having received word last week that three of the territory's public high schools were granted candidacy for accreditation while the fourth — Ivanna Eudora Kean — was not.
She said the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools cited six areas in which Eudora Kean did not meet criteria to qualify as a candidate for accreditation.
"In arriving at a decision to withhold candidacy to the school at this time," Michael said in prepared remarks, Middle States stated that Kean "did not meet 'entry level candidacy standards' of the Commission on Secondary Schools" in the six areas. Of special concern, she said, were "health, safety and security of students; facilities; finances; stability in leadership; and lack of willingness and interest in engaging in the accreditation process."
Although Michael did not want to go into detail on the shortcomings identified, she said the health factor had to do with a lack of a school nurses.
Sharlene Harris, V.I. director of libraries, a Kean alumna and a member of an EKHS research committee, mentioned the stability in leadership and "lack of willingness" factors. Eudora Kean has not had a permanent principal since Sinclair Wilkinson retired more than a year ago. Lydia Lettsome, who was named acting principal at that time, has continued in that acting capacity ever since.
"We will ensure that the school year begins with a permanent principal," Michael said Monday.
The security concern had special significance with word that the school had been broken into over the weekend and that 90 Junior ROTC Springfield rifles and 20 other guns had been stolen. (See "110 ROTC firearms taken in Eudora Kean break-in".)
Michael noted in her prepared remarks that there have been two Virgin Islands visits by Middle States teams this year. The first, in the third week of April, was to interview the commissioner, the school superintendents and the chairs of various subcommittees associated with an Education Department Central Office self-study. The second, beginning May 4, was to visit the four schools.
"A three-member team spent the entire school day on campus" at Central, Charlotte Amalie and Educational Complex High Schools, Michael said. But "for the IEKHS visit, only two team members conducted the school visit."
Central, CAHS and Eudora Kean previously were accredited; in November 2001, after years of repeated warnings, Middle States announced that it was withdrawing the accreditation of all three. (See "Public high schools to lose accreditation".) The Education Department appealed the decision but the appeal was rejected in April 2002.
Educational Complex, the newest of the four schools, has never previously sought accreditation.
For the three schools approved for accreditation candidacy, Michael said, "Middle States has recommended a self-study/planning schedule … for September 2003 through December 2004 and a team visit to make a determination on accreditation in spring of 2005."
The self-study process, she said, will involve, among other things, surveying students, teachers and parents.
Regarding the deficiencies cited by Middle States for Eudora Kean, Michael said: "We hope to address these items so that at the end of the calendar year we would be in a position to ask them [the Middle States team members] to come back."
She said she had spoken earlier Monday morning with Middle States associate director Mary Ann Keeley, who "noted that there is no specific amount of time that must elapse prior to the school requesting another candidacy visit."
Also, Michael said, Keeley indicated "there was such a quick turn-around on the candidacy reports" after the May site visits "to allow the schools the opportunity to address issues raised in the reports during the summer months."
Michael said the Virgin Islands is on schedule in complying with a series of Corrective Action Steps agreed to with Middle States last June and then renegotiated in September after Middle States conducted an Accreditation Institute in the territory. "To date, all corrective action steps that were due have been completed,"she said.
These include:
– Transferring control of hiring from the Personnel Division to the Education Department.
– Providing school-based budgets for staffing, programming, supplies and maintenance needs.
– Submitting separate action plans for improving student and teacher attendance.
– Establishing an adequate system-wide substitute teacher pool.
– Completing the Central Office self-study.
– Hosting Middle States team candidacy visits.
The next deadline on the Corrective Action Steps schedule is June 30, by which time the territory is to "demonstrate a measurable reduction in the number of uncovered classes" due to teacher unavailability.
Michael said that to address low student attendance, some schools have individuals telephone parents after hours to let them know if their youngsters are not attending classes. Also, she said, awards are given to students and faculty with exemplary attendance.
To ensure that there are funds to pay substitute teachers, she said, a separate fund has been set up, with money to be available by November.
In order for the accreditation process to be a success, Michael said, personnel in the Education Department from the maintenance workers to the commissioner must work together as a unit. "We can only be successful if we work together," she said. "The more we work together, the more successful we are going to be."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
She said the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools cited six areas in which Eudora Kean did not meet criteria to qualify as a candidate for accreditation.
"In arriving at a decision to withhold candidacy to the school at this time," Michael said in prepared remarks, Middle States stated that Kean "did not meet 'entry level candidacy standards' of the Commission on Secondary Schools" in the six areas. Of special concern, she said, were "health, safety and security of students; facilities; finances; stability in leadership; and lack of willingness and interest in engaging in the accreditation process."
Although Michael did not want to go into detail on the shortcomings identified, she said the health factor had to do with a lack of a school nurses.
Sharlene Harris, V.I. director of libraries, a Kean alumna and a member of an EKHS research committee, mentioned the stability in leadership and "lack of willingness" factors. Eudora Kean has not had a permanent principal since Sinclair Wilkinson retired more than a year ago. Lydia Lettsome, who was named acting principal at that time, has continued in that acting capacity ever since.
"We will ensure that the school year begins with a permanent principal," Michael said Monday.
The security concern had special significance with word that the school had been broken into over the weekend and that 90 Junior ROTC Springfield rifles and 20 other guns had been stolen. (See "110 ROTC firearms taken in Eudora Kean break-in".)
Michael noted in her prepared remarks that there have been two Virgin Islands visits by Middle States teams this year. The first, in the third week of April, was to interview the commissioner, the school superintendents and the chairs of various subcommittees associated with an Education Department Central Office self-study. The second, beginning May 4, was to visit the four schools.
"A three-member team spent the entire school day on campus" at Central, Charlotte Amalie and Educational Complex High Schools, Michael said. But "for the IEKHS visit, only two team members conducted the school visit."
Central, CAHS and Eudora Kean previously were accredited; in November 2001, after years of repeated warnings, Middle States announced that it was withdrawing the accreditation of all three. (See "Public high schools to lose accreditation".) The Education Department appealed the decision but the appeal was rejected in April 2002.
Educational Complex, the newest of the four schools, has never previously sought accreditation.
For the three schools approved for accreditation candidacy, Michael said, "Middle States has recommended a self-study/planning schedule … for September 2003 through December 2004 and a team visit to make a determination on accreditation in spring of 2005."
The self-study process, she said, will involve, among other things, surveying students, teachers and parents.
Regarding the deficiencies cited by Middle States for Eudora Kean, Michael said: "We hope to address these items so that at the end of the calendar year we would be in a position to ask them [the Middle States team members] to come back."
She said she had spoken earlier Monday morning with Middle States associate director Mary Ann Keeley, who "noted that there is no specific amount of time that must elapse prior to the school requesting another candidacy visit."
Also, Michael said, Keeley indicated "there was such a quick turn-around on the candidacy reports" after the May site visits "to allow the schools the opportunity to address issues raised in the reports during the summer months."
Michael said the Virgin Islands is on schedule in complying with a series of Corrective Action Steps agreed to with Middle States last June and then renegotiated in September after Middle States conducted an Accreditation Institute in the territory. "To date, all corrective action steps that were due have been completed,"she said.
These include:
– Transferring control of hiring from the Personnel Division to the Education Department.
– Providing school-based budgets for staffing, programming, supplies and maintenance needs.
– Submitting separate action plans for improving student and teacher attendance.
– Establishing an adequate system-wide substitute teacher pool.
– Completing the Central Office self-study.
– Hosting Middle States team candidacy visits.
The next deadline on the Corrective Action Steps schedule is June 30, by which time the territory is to "demonstrate a measurable reduction in the number of uncovered classes" due to teacher unavailability.
Michael said that to address low student attendance, some schools have individuals telephone parents after hours to let them know if their youngsters are not attending classes. Also, she said, awards are given to students and faculty with exemplary attendance.
To ensure that there are funds to pay substitute teachers, she said, a separate fund has been set up, with money to be available by November.
In order for the accreditation process to be a success, Michael said, personnel in the Education Department from the maintenance workers to the commissioner must work together as a unit. "We can only be successful if we work together," she said. "The more we work together, the more successful we are going to be."
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MICHAEL HOPING FOR KEAN CANDIDACY BY YEAREND
June 2, 2003 – Education Commissioner Noreen Michael confirmed at press conference on Monday having received word last week that three of the territory's public high schools were granted candidacy for accreditation while the fourth — Ivanna Eudora Kean — was not.
She said the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools cited six areas in which Eudora Kean did not meet criteria to qualify as a candidate for accreditation.
"In arriving at a decision to withhold candidacy to the school at this time," Michael said in prepared remarks, Middle States stated that Kean "did not meet 'entry level candidacy standards' of the Commission on Secondary Schools" in the six areas. Of special concern, she said, were "health, safety and security of students; facilities; finances; stability in leadership; and lack of willingness and interest in engaging in the accreditation process."
Although Michael did not want to go into detail on the shortcomings identified, she said the health factor had to do with a lack of a school nurses.
Sharlene Harris, V.I. director of libraries, a Kean alumna and a member of an EKHS research committee, mentioned the stability in leadership and "lack of willingness" factors. Eudora Kean has not had a permanent principal since Sinclair Wilkinson retired more than a year ago. Lydia Lettsome, who was named acting principal at that time, has continued in that acting capacity ever since.
"We will ensure that the school year begins with a permanent principal," Michael said Monday.
The security concern had special significance with word that the school had been broken into over the weekend and that 90 Junior ROTC Springfield rifles and 20 other guns had been stolen. (See "110 ROTC firearms taken in Eudora Kean break-in".)
Michael noted in her prepared remarks that there have been two Virgin Islands visits by Middle States teams this year. The first, in the third week of April, was to interview the commissioner, the school superintendents and the chairs of various subcommittees associated with an Education Department Central Office self-study. The second, beginning May 4, was to visit the four schools.
"A three-member team spent the entire school day on campus" at Central, Charlotte Amalie and Educational Complex High Schools, Michael said. But "for the IEKHS visit, only two team members conducted the school visit."
Central, CAHS and Eudora Kean previously were accredited; in November 2001, after years of repeated warnings, Middle States announced that it was withdrawing the accreditation of all three. (See "Public high schools to lose accreditation".) The Education Department appealed the decision but the appeal was rejected in April 2002.
Educational Complex, the newest of the four schools, has never previously sought accreditation.
For the three schools approved for accreditation candidacy, Michael said, "Middle States has recommended a self-study/planning schedule … for September 2003 through December 2004 and a team visit to make a determination on accreditation in spring of 2005."
The self-study process, she said, will involve, among other things, surveying students, teachers and parents.
Regarding the deficiencies cited by Middle States for Eudora Kean, Michael said: "We hope to address these items so that at the end of the calendar year we would be in a position to ask them [the Middle States team members] to come back."
She said she had spoken earlier Monday morning with Middle States associate director Mary Ann Keeley, who "noted that there is no specific amount of time that must elapse prior to the school requesting another candidacy visit."
Also, Michael said, Keeley indicated "there was such a quick turn-around on the candidacy reports" after the May site visits "to allow the schools the opportunity to address issues raised in the reports during the summer months."
Michael said the Virgin Islands is on schedule in complying with a series of Corrective Action Steps agreed to with Middle States last June and then renegotiated in September after Middle States conducted an Accreditation Institute in the territory. "To date, all corrective action steps that were due have been completed,"she said.
These include:
– Transferring control of hiring from the Personnel Division to the Education Department.
– Providing school-based budgets for staffing, programming, supplies and maintenance needs.
– Submitting separate action plans for improving student and teacher attendance.
– Establishing an adequate system-wide substitute teacher pool.
– Completing the Central Office self-study.
– Hosting Middle States team candidacy visits.
The next deadline on the Corrective Action Steps schedule is June 30, by which time the territory is to "demonstrate a measurable reduction in the number of uncovered classes" due to teacher unavailability.
Michael said that to address low student attendance, some schools have individuals telephone parents after hours to let them know if their youngsters are not attending classes. Also, she said, awards are given to students and faculty with exemplary attendance.
To ensure that there are funds to pay substitute teachers, she said, a separate fund has been set up, with money to be available by November.
In order for the accreditation process to be a success, Michael said, personnel in the Education Department from the maintenance workers to the commissioner must work together as a unit. "We can only be successful if we work together," she said. "The more we work together, the more successful we are going to be."
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
She said the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools cited six areas in which Eudora Kean did not meet criteria to qualify as a candidate for accreditation.
"In arriving at a decision to withhold candidacy to the school at this time," Michael said in prepared remarks, Middle States stated that Kean "did not meet 'entry level candidacy standards' of the Commission on Secondary Schools" in the six areas. Of special concern, she said, were "health, safety and security of students; facilities; finances; stability in leadership; and lack of willingness and interest in engaging in the accreditation process."
Although Michael did not want to go into detail on the shortcomings identified, she said the health factor had to do with a lack of a school nurses.
Sharlene Harris, V.I. director of libraries, a Kean alumna and a member of an EKHS research committee, mentioned the stability in leadership and "lack of willingness" factors. Eudora Kean has not had a permanent principal since Sinclair Wilkinson retired more than a year ago. Lydia Lettsome, who was named acting principal at that time, has continued in that acting capacity ever since.
"We will ensure that the school year begins with a permanent principal," Michael said Monday.
The security concern had special significance with word that the school had been broken into over the weekend and that 90 Junior ROTC Springfield rifles and 20 other guns had been stolen. (See "110 ROTC firearms taken in Eudora Kean break-in".)
Michael noted in her prepared remarks that there have been two Virgin Islands visits by Middle States teams this year. The first, in the third week of April, was to interview the commissioner, the school superintendents and the chairs of various subcommittees associated with an Education Department Central Office self-study. The second, beginning May 4, was to visit the four schools.
"A three-member team spent the entire school day on campus" at Central, Charlotte Amalie and Educational Complex High Schools, Michael said. But "for the IEKHS visit, only two team members conducted the school visit."
Central, CAHS and Eudora Kean previously were accredited; in November 2001, after years of repeated warnings, Middle States announced that it was withdrawing the accreditation of all three. (See "Public high schools to lose accreditation".) The Education Department appealed the decision but the appeal was rejected in April 2002.
Educational Complex, the newest of the four schools, has never previously sought accreditation.
For the three schools approved for accreditation candidacy, Michael said, "Middle States has recommended a self-study/planning schedule … for September 2003 through December 2004 and a team visit to make a determination on accreditation in spring of 2005."
The self-study process, she said, will involve, among other things, surveying students, teachers and parents.
Regarding the deficiencies cited by Middle States for Eudora Kean, Michael said: "We hope to address these items so that at the end of the calendar year we would be in a position to ask them [the Middle States team members] to come back."
She said she had spoken earlier Monday morning with Middle States associate director Mary Ann Keeley, who "noted that there is no specific amount of time that must elapse prior to the school requesting another candidacy visit."
Also, Michael said, Keeley indicated "there was such a quick turn-around on the candidacy reports" after the May site visits "to allow the schools the opportunity to address issues raised in the reports during the summer months."
Michael said the Virgin Islands is on schedule in complying with a series of Corrective Action Steps agreed to with Middle States last June and then renegotiated in September after Middle States conducted an Accreditation Institute in the territory. "To date, all corrective action steps that were due have been completed,"she said.
These include:
– Transferring control of hiring from the Personnel Division to the Education Department.
– Providing school-based budgets for staffing, programming, supplies and maintenance needs.
– Submitting separate action plans for improving student and teacher attendance.
– Establishing an adequate system-wide substitute teacher pool.
– Completing the Central Office self-study.
– Hosting Middle States team candidacy visits.
The next deadline on the Corrective Action Steps schedule is June 30, by which time the territory is to "demonstrate a measurable reduction in the number of uncovered classes" due to teacher unavailability.
Michael said that to address low student attendance, some schools have individuals telephone parents after hours to let them know if their youngsters are not attending classes. Also, she said, awards are given to students and faculty with exemplary attendance.
To ensure that there are funds to pay substitute teachers, she said, a separate fund has been set up, with money to be available by November.
In order for the accreditation process to be a success, Michael said, personnel in the Education Department from the maintenance workers to the commissioner must work together as a unit. "We can only be successful if we work together," she said. "The more we work together, the more successful we are going to be."
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
MICHAEL HOPING FOR KEAN CANDIDACY BY YEAREND
June 2, 2003 – Education Commissioner Noreen Michael confirmed at press conference on Monday having received word last week that three of the territory's public high schools were granted candidacy for accreditation while the fourth — Ivanna Eudora Kean — was not.
She said the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools cited six areas in which Eudora Kean did not meet criteria to qualify as a candidate for accreditation.
"In arriving at a decision to withhold candidacy to the school at this time," Michael said in prepared remarks, Middle States stated that Kean "did not meet 'entry level candidacy standards' of the Commission on Secondary Schools" in the six areas. Of special concern, she said, were "health, safety and security of students; facilities; finances; stability in leadership; and lack of willingness and interest in engaging in the accreditation process."
Although Michael did not want to go into detail on the shortcomings identified, she said the health factor had to do with a lack of a school nurses.
Sharlene Harris, V.I. director of libraries, a Kean alumna and a member of an EKHS research committee, mentioned the stability in leadership and "lack of willingness" factors. Eudora Kean has not had a permanent principal since Sinclair Wilkinson retired more than a year ago. Lydia Lettsome, who was named acting principal at that time, has continued in that acting capacity ever since.
"We will ensure that the school year begins with a permanent principal," Michael said Monday.
The security concern had special significance with word that the school had been broken into over the weekend and that 90 Junior ROTC Springfield rifles and 20 other guns had been stolen. (See "110 ROTC firearms taken in Eudora Kean break-in".)
Michael noted in her prepared remarks that there have been two Virgin Islands visits by Middle States teams this year. The first, in the third week of April, was to interview the commissioner, the school superintendents and the chairs of various subcommittees associated with an Education Department Central Office self-study. The second, beginning May 4, was to visit the four schools.
"A three-member team spent the entire school day on campus" at Central, Charlotte Amalie and Educational Complex High Schools, Michael said. But "for the IEKHS visit, only two team members conducted the school visit."
Central, CAHS and Eudora Kean previously were accredited; in November 2001, after years of repeated warnings, Middle States announced that it was withdrawing the accreditation of all three. (See "Public high schools to lose accreditation".) The Education Department appealed the decision but the appeal was rejected in April 2002.
Educational Complex, the newest of the four schools, has never previously sought accreditation.
For the three schools approved for accreditation candidacy, Michael said, "Middle States has recommended a self-study/planning schedule … for September 2003 through December 2004 and a team visit to make a determination on accreditation in spring of 2005."
The self-study process, she said, will involve, among other things, surveying students, teachers and parents.
Regarding the deficiencies cited by Middle States for Eudora Kean, Michael said: "We hope to address these items so that at the end of the calendar year we would be in a position to ask them [the Middle States team members] to come back."
She said she had spoken earlier Monday morning with Middle States associate director Mary Ann Keeley, who "noted that there is no specific amount of time that must elapse prior to the school requesting another candidacy visit."
Also, Michael said, Keeley indicated "there was such a quick turn-around on the candidacy reports" after the May site visits "to allow the schools the opportunity to address issues raised in the reports during the summer months."
Michael said the Virgin Islands is on schedule in complying with a series of Corrective Action Steps agreed to with Middle States last June and then renegotiated in September after Middle States conducted an Accreditation Institute in the territory. "To date, all corrective action steps that were due have been completed,"she said.
These include:
– Transferring control of hiring from the Personnel Division to the Education Department.
– Providing school-based budgets for staffing, programming, supplies and maintenance needs.
– Submitting separate action plans for improving student and teacher attendance.
– Establishing an adequate system-wide substitute teacher pool.
– Completing the Central Office self-study.
– Hosting Middle States team candidacy visits.
The next deadline on the Corrective Action Steps schedule is June 30, by which time the territory is to "demonstrate a measurable reduction in the number of uncovered classes" due to teacher unavailability.
Michael said that to address low student attendance, some schools have individuals telephone parents after hours to let them know if their youngsters are not attending classes. Also, she said, awards are given to students and faculty with exemplary attendance.
To ensure that there are funds to pay substitute teachers, she said, a separate fund has been set up, with money to be available by November.
In order for the accreditation process to be a success, Michael said, personnel in the Education Department from the maintenance workers to the commissioner must work together as a unit. "We can only be successful if we work together," she said. "The more we work together, the more successful we are going to be."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
She said the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools cited six areas in which Eudora Kean did not meet criteria to qualify as a candidate for accreditation.
"In arriving at a decision to withhold candidacy to the school at this time," Michael said in prepared remarks, Middle States stated that Kean "did not meet 'entry level candidacy standards' of the Commission on Secondary Schools" in the six areas. Of special concern, she said, were "health, safety and security of students; facilities; finances; stability in leadership; and lack of willingness and interest in engaging in the accreditation process."
Although Michael did not want to go into detail on the shortcomings identified, she said the health factor had to do with a lack of a school nurses.
Sharlene Harris, V.I. director of libraries, a Kean alumna and a member of an EKHS research committee, mentioned the stability in leadership and "lack of willingness" factors. Eudora Kean has not had a permanent principal since Sinclair Wilkinson retired more than a year ago. Lydia Lettsome, who was named acting principal at that time, has continued in that acting capacity ever since.
"We will ensure that the school year begins with a permanent principal," Michael said Monday.
The security concern had special significance with word that the school had been broken into over the weekend and that 90 Junior ROTC Springfield rifles and 20 other guns had been stolen. (See "110 ROTC firearms taken in Eudora Kean break-in".)
Michael noted in her prepared remarks that there have been two Virgin Islands visits by Middle States teams this year. The first, in the third week of April, was to interview the commissioner, the school superintendents and the chairs of various subcommittees associated with an Education Department Central Office self-study. The second, beginning May 4, was to visit the four schools.
"A three-member team spent the entire school day on campus" at Central, Charlotte Amalie and Educational Complex High Schools, Michael said. But "for the IEKHS visit, only two team members conducted the school visit."
Central, CAHS and Eudora Kean previously were accredited; in November 2001, after years of repeated warnings, Middle States announced that it was withdrawing the accreditation of all three. (See "Public high schools to lose accreditation".) The Education Department appealed the decision but the appeal was rejected in April 2002.
Educational Complex, the newest of the four schools, has never previously sought accreditation.
For the three schools approved for accreditation candidacy, Michael said, "Middle States has recommended a self-study/planning schedule … for September 2003 through December 2004 and a team visit to make a determination on accreditation in spring of 2005."
The self-study process, she said, will involve, among other things, surveying students, teachers and parents.
Regarding the deficiencies cited by Middle States for Eudora Kean, Michael said: "We hope to address these items so that at the end of the calendar year we would be in a position to ask them [the Middle States team members] to come back."
She said she had spoken earlier Monday morning with Middle States associate director Mary Ann Keeley, who "noted that there is no specific amount of time that must elapse prior to the school requesting another candidacy visit."
Also, Michael said, Keeley indicated "there was such a quick turn-around on the candidacy reports" after the May site visits "to allow the schools the opportunity to address issues raised in the reports during the summer months."
Michael said the Virgin Islands is on schedule in complying with a series of Corrective Action Steps agreed to with Middle States last June and then renegotiated in September after Middle States conducted an Accreditation Institute in the territory. "To date, all corrective action steps that were due have been completed,"she said.
These include:
– Transferring control of hiring from the Personnel Division to the Education Department.
– Providing school-based budgets for staffing, programming, supplies and maintenance needs.
– Submitting separate action plans for improving student and teacher attendance.
– Establishing an adequate system-wide substitute teacher pool.
– Completing the Central Office self-study.
– Hosting Middle States team candidacy visits.
The next deadline on the Corrective Action Steps schedule is June 30, by which time the territory is to "demonstrate a measurable reduction in the number of uncovered classes" due to teacher unavailability.
Michael said that to address low student attendance, some schools have individuals telephone parents after hours to let them know if their youngsters are not attending classes. Also, she said, awards are given to students and faculty with exemplary attendance.
To ensure that there are funds to pay substitute teachers, she said, a separate fund has been set up, with money to be available by November.
In order for the accreditation process to be a success, Michael said, personnel in the Education Department from the maintenance workers to the commissioner must work together as a unit. "We can only be successful if we work together," she said. "The more we work together, the more successful we are going to be."
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
BOULON THREE-PEATS AS ART SHOW 'PEOPLE'S CHOICE'
June 2, 2003 – People like St. John artist Kimberly Boulon's paintings, and she has the prizes to prove it.
On Saturday, the closing day of the 15th annual Caribbean Colour fine art exhibition at Port of $ale Mall on St. Thomas, Boulon was announced as the winner of the David O'Neill Excellence Award, given this year for the first time as the "people's choice" award at the show.
The people's choice award is based on balloting by visitors to the art show. Boulon also was the winner at the 2001 and 2002 Caribbean Colour exhibitions.
Boulon explained the motivation for this year's winning oil painting, "Moonlight Shell Seeking," as an extension of the Chinese yin-yang philosophy that the universe is ruled by two opposing forces which accomplish change by cyclically producing and overcoming each other.
She said she worked with complementary colors in the palette in order to accentuate the negative and positive sources of energy within the realm of everyday life.
"The primary colors are reds and greens," she said, "with nothing balanced equally, in order to catch the varying degrees of each element within the painting … the moonlight mood, and a central theme of togetherness, as there is a focus on the beauty of a shell which doesn’t even have to be seen."
The work appealed to this year's Caribbean Colour jury, as well; it was awarded second place in the oils category.
The O'Neill Excellence Award was created in 1993 in memory of O'Neill, a longtime visual and graphic artist and actor on St. Thomas. It was presented annually at the Arts Alive arts and crafts festivals in Tillett Gardens until last year, when the events were discontinued.
"I feel that I am accepting this award on behalf of all artists who produce works from their hearts, minds and souls," Boulon stated. "They've been an inspiration to me."
Claire Ochoa, member of the sponsoring St. Thomas-St. John Arts Council, presided over the Saturday ceremony marking the end of what she described as a successful week for the exhibition, both as a fund-raiser for the not-for-profit, membership-based arts agency and as a showcase for the more than a hundred exhibiting adult and student artists.
The show attracted about 650 visitors, Ochoa said, and 19 of the works were sold.
For a list of the other winners, see "Caribbean Colour: vivid variations on a theme".)
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
On Saturday, the closing day of the 15th annual Caribbean Colour fine art exhibition at Port of $ale Mall on St. Thomas, Boulon was announced as the winner of the David O'Neill Excellence Award, given this year for the first time as the "people's choice" award at the show.
The people's choice award is based on balloting by visitors to the art show. Boulon also was the winner at the 2001 and 2002 Caribbean Colour exhibitions.
Boulon explained the motivation for this year's winning oil painting, "Moonlight Shell Seeking," as an extension of the Chinese yin-yang philosophy that the universe is ruled by two opposing forces which accomplish change by cyclically producing and overcoming each other.
She said she worked with complementary colors in the palette in order to accentuate the negative and positive sources of energy within the realm of everyday life.
"The primary colors are reds and greens," she said, "with nothing balanced equally, in order to catch the varying degrees of each element within the painting … the moonlight mood, and a central theme of togetherness, as there is a focus on the beauty of a shell which doesn’t even have to be seen."
The work appealed to this year's Caribbean Colour jury, as well; it was awarded second place in the oils category.
The O'Neill Excellence Award was created in 1993 in memory of O'Neill, a longtime visual and graphic artist and actor on St. Thomas. It was presented annually at the Arts Alive arts and crafts festivals in Tillett Gardens until last year, when the events were discontinued.
"I feel that I am accepting this award on behalf of all artists who produce works from their hearts, minds and souls," Boulon stated. "They've been an inspiration to me."
Claire Ochoa, member of the sponsoring St. Thomas-St. John Arts Council, presided over the Saturday ceremony marking the end of what she described as a successful week for the exhibition, both as a fund-raiser for the not-for-profit, membership-based arts agency and as a showcase for the more than a hundred exhibiting adult and student artists.
The show attracted about 650 visitors, Ochoa said, and 19 of the works were sold.
For a list of the other winners, see "Caribbean Colour: vivid variations on a theme".)
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
