Oct. 14, 2002 – The work of advocates spreading the word against domestic violence has become a year-'round job, but during October, which is national Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the message is repeated in as many ways as possible.
By mid-month, organizations on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix were preparing for their highest-visibility events — public marches to remember those who have died, who have been hurt and who live in fear because of violence in the home.
Recently, Iris Kern, executive director of the Safety Zone, spent some time with a team of artists cutting out foam rubber silhouettes representing some of the victims of domestic abuse. The silhouettes will be carried in a procession scheduled for Oct. 24 from the Cruz Bay tennis courts to the bandstand in Cruz Bay Park.
"I'm so excited," said Kern, who said she got the idea from the 7th International Conference on Family Violence, held recently in San Diego. St. John saw its first domestic violence march last year, and Kern said it was received with a "marvelous response" by the public.
This year, St. John and St. Croix both will hold "Take Back the Night" marches on Saturday. Both events are scheduled to start around 6 p.m. The St. Croix march is sponsored by the St. Croix Women's Coalition.
Meanwhile Family Resource Center on St. Thomas is getting ready for a march and candlelight ceremony on Tuesday beginning at 5 p.m. As is the case on St. John, the big event is surrounded other, smaller activities throughout the month. The ceremony will include a reading of the names of those who lost their lives to battering. Rhymer said the roll increased by four in the last year — including two small children beaten by adults and a man killed by his wife.
Last Thursday night, Family Resource Center's executive director, Michal Rhymer, led a workshop at Frederick Lutheran Church for clergy and female parishioners about the things they could do to help protect members of their congregations. Rhymer said the turnout was not as good as she would have liked, but pastors from more than half a dozen St. Thomas churches took part. The workshop was a prelude to last weekend's Domestic Violence Awareness Sabbath/Sunday, an appeal to houses of worship to raise awareness among worshippers.
On Tuesday afternoon, while domestic violence awareness advocates on St. Thomas set up public outreach tables at Emancipation Garden, Safety Zone members plan to meet with police for a domestic violence training session.
These events are in addition to year-'round radio and television show appearances, which advocates say have been effective in reaching out to people who might not be willing to play more public roles. "It's a Family Affair," "La Nueva Era" and the "Domestic Violence Awareness Talk Show" are aired on radio stations WSTA and WGOD.
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CELEBRATION OF LIFE PLANNED FOR KIRK GRYBOWSKI
Oct. 14, 2002 – A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 at the St. Thomas Yacht Club in honor of Kirk Grybowski who died suddenly of a heart attack Oct. 8 in Chicago. (See "Kirk Grybowski dies suddenly in Chicago."
Kirk's wife Judith said the celebration will include "lots of music," one of Kirk's greatest loves.
Kirk was an avid sailor and tennis player. He and Judith were members and regular volunteers at the Yacht Club.
Judith has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the Grybowski Family Scholarship in care of the Foundation of the University of the Virgin Islands. The scholarship has taken on a new name. It was originally the Judith Grybowski Nursing Scholarship fund. It was setup by then-UVI President Dr. Orville Kean when Judith retired in May 1999, after 31 years at UVI, to honor her work at the university and to provide assistance to Virgin Islanders who want to become nurses.
Judy said Monday night she had changed the name because "Kirk was an honorary nurse for more than 30 years."
Kirk developed the Emergency Medical Services for the Virgin Islands.
Donations can be sent to Foundation of the University of the Virgin Islands, #2 Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, V.I. 00802
Grybowski is survived by his wife, Judith; son Paul and his wife, Michelle; son Keith and his wife, Nancy; grandchildren, Stephen, 12, Kevin, 9, and Maximillion, 7; many other relatives and a worldwide company of friends.
Kirk's wife Judith said the celebration will include "lots of music," one of Kirk's greatest loves.
Kirk was an avid sailor and tennis player. He and Judith were members and regular volunteers at the Yacht Club.
Judith has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the Grybowski Family Scholarship in care of the Foundation of the University of the Virgin Islands. The scholarship has taken on a new name. It was originally the Judith Grybowski Nursing Scholarship fund. It was setup by then-UVI President Dr. Orville Kean when Judith retired in May 1999, after 31 years at UVI, to honor her work at the university and to provide assistance to Virgin Islanders who want to become nurses.
Judy said Monday night she had changed the name because "Kirk was an honorary nurse for more than 30 years."
Kirk developed the Emergency Medical Services for the Virgin Islands.
Donations can be sent to Foundation of the University of the Virgin Islands, #2 Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, V.I. 00802
Grybowski is survived by his wife, Judith; son Paul and his wife, Michelle; son Keith and his wife, Nancy; grandchildren, Stephen, 12, Kevin, 9, and Maximillion, 7; many other relatives and a worldwide company of friends.
NEW COURSE MANDATES COULD HOLD SENIORS BACK
Oct. 14, 2002 – About 180 of the seniors attending Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean High Schools might not graduate next May unless the Education Department finds a way to get them into three courses that are newly required for graduation.
The Board of Education, which sets the curriculum for the schools, made the three courses — Developmental Reading and Writing, Computer Technology and Speech — mandatory in 1996, but the action was never implemented until last year, but then, a member of the board who asked not to be named said, Education Department officials succeeded in getting a waiver that allowed the Class of 2002 to graduate without having to take the three courses.
The board ordered that the course requirements become effective this year. At a board meeting on Friday, St. Thomas-St. John district Superintendent William Frett said it was an "unfunded" mandate and that there are not enough classrooms, teachers or technology to serve more than a third of the current senior classes in the district.
"I do not know if all the students will be able to comply with all of the requirements being imposed on them," he said. "For the Class of 2003 there will be difficulties."
St. Thomas board member Linda Thomas, who teaches at the University of the Virgin Islands, stressed the importance of the courses, especially Developmental Reading and Writing, in light of the number of incoming UVI freshmen whose skills are inadequate. "More than 80 percent of the students — and some of them are honor students — have to take reading and writing skills courses." she said.
About 500 students graduate from CAHS and Eudora Kean together each year. Slightly fewer students graduate from the St. Croix district schools — Central High and Educational Complex. But because the district's superintendent, Terrence T. Joseph, did not appear at the Friday meeting, board members complained they could not gauge the scope of the problem there.
St. Croix board member Claudette Petersen noted that Thomas had a track record of not attending board meetings. "I am completely disgusted with Mr. Joseph," she said. "He has completely disrespected this board by never showing up. I don't even want to hear his report, because he's not here to question," she said.
One St. Croix board member also is named Terrence Joseph. He said he, too, was disturbed at the St. Croix's superintendent's absence during a critical discussion involving the future of this year's graduating classes. "It's becoming an issue," Terrence D. Joseph said. "Please let him know we would like to see him at one of these meetings."
Frett appeared at the meeting in the company of acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael, who left it to him to lead the discussion about implementing the new required courses.
At Eudora Kean, all seniors are taking computer instructions, Frett said, while at Charlotte Amalie, 90 are doing so. He said that left 186 CAHS students short.
As for the speech course, Frett said a decision was made to allow students taking business communications to substitute that course for the speech requirement. On that basis, he said, 12 Eudora Kean students appeared to be having difficulty meeting the speech requirement.
The big problem, Frett said, is Developmental Reading and Writing. "How do we in fact identify the students for this course?" he asked.
Board members urged him to find ways to get the seniors in compliance, asking him to submit a list of classes he would consider suitable as alternatives and suggesting he set up a weekend academy for students to attend in order to get credit for the courses.
St. Thomas board member Gerald Hodge appealed for board and department members to work together to find solutions as quickly as possible. The way things stand, he said, many students "will fall short of the requirement needed for graduation" through no fault of their own. "Either we are going to help them, or we are not," he said. "We need to make a commitment … We need to do it as one team, together."
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.
The Board of Education, which sets the curriculum for the schools, made the three courses — Developmental Reading and Writing, Computer Technology and Speech — mandatory in 1996, but the action was never implemented until last year, but then, a member of the board who asked not to be named said, Education Department officials succeeded in getting a waiver that allowed the Class of 2002 to graduate without having to take the three courses.
The board ordered that the course requirements become effective this year. At a board meeting on Friday, St. Thomas-St. John district Superintendent William Frett said it was an "unfunded" mandate and that there are not enough classrooms, teachers or technology to serve more than a third of the current senior classes in the district.
"I do not know if all the students will be able to comply with all of the requirements being imposed on them," he said. "For the Class of 2003 there will be difficulties."
St. Thomas board member Linda Thomas, who teaches at the University of the Virgin Islands, stressed the importance of the courses, especially Developmental Reading and Writing, in light of the number of incoming UVI freshmen whose skills are inadequate. "More than 80 percent of the students — and some of them are honor students — have to take reading and writing skills courses." she said.
About 500 students graduate from CAHS and Eudora Kean together each year. Slightly fewer students graduate from the St. Croix district schools — Central High and Educational Complex. But because the district's superintendent, Terrence T. Joseph, did not appear at the Friday meeting, board members complained they could not gauge the scope of the problem there.
St. Croix board member Claudette Petersen noted that Thomas had a track record of not attending board meetings. "I am completely disgusted with Mr. Joseph," she said. "He has completely disrespected this board by never showing up. I don't even want to hear his report, because he's not here to question," she said.
One St. Croix board member also is named Terrence Joseph. He said he, too, was disturbed at the St. Croix's superintendent's absence during a critical discussion involving the future of this year's graduating classes. "It's becoming an issue," Terrence D. Joseph said. "Please let him know we would like to see him at one of these meetings."
Frett appeared at the meeting in the company of acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael, who left it to him to lead the discussion about implementing the new required courses.
At Eudora Kean, all seniors are taking computer instructions, Frett said, while at Charlotte Amalie, 90 are doing so. He said that left 186 CAHS students short.
As for the speech course, Frett said a decision was made to allow students taking business communications to substitute that course for the speech requirement. On that basis, he said, 12 Eudora Kean students appeared to be having difficulty meeting the speech requirement.
The big problem, Frett said, is Developmental Reading and Writing. "How do we in fact identify the students for this course?" he asked.
Board members urged him to find ways to get the seniors in compliance, asking him to submit a list of classes he would consider suitable as alternatives and suggesting he set up a weekend academy for students to attend in order to get credit for the courses.
St. Thomas board member Gerald Hodge appealed for board and department members to work together to find solutions as quickly as possible. The way things stand, he said, many students "will fall short of the requirement needed for graduation" through no fault of their own. "Either we are going to help them, or we are not," he said. "We need to make a commitment … We need to do it as one team, together."
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.
MANDATED NEW COURSES COULD HOLD SENIORS BACK
Oct. 14, 2002 – About 180 of the seniors attending Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean High Schools might not graduate next May unless the Education Department finds a way to get them into three courses that are newly required for graduation.
The Board of Education, which sets the curriculum for the schools, made the three courses — Developmental Reading and Writing, Computer Technology and Speech — mandatory in 1996, but the action was never implemented until last year, but then, a member of the board who asked not to be named said, Education Department officials succeeded in getting a waiver that allowed the Class of 2002 to graduate without having to take the three courses.
The board ordered that the course requirements become effective this year. At a board meeting on Friday, St. Thomas-St. John district Superintendent William Frett said it was an "unfunded" mandate and that there are not enough classrooms, teachers or technology to serve more than a third of the current senior classes in the district.
"I do not know if all the students will be able to comply with all of the requirements being imposed on them," he said. "For the Class of 2003 there will be difficulties."
St. Thomas board member Linda Thomas, who teaches at the University of the Virgin Islands, stressed the importance of the courses, especially Developmental Reading and Writing, in light of the number of incoming UVI freshmen whose skills are inadequate. "More than 80 percent of the students — and some of them are honor students — have to take reading and writing skills courses." she said.
About 500 students graduate from CAHS and Eudora Kean together each year. Slightly fewer students graduate from the St. Croix district schools — Central High and Educational Complex. But because the district's superintendent, Terrence T. Joseph, did not appear at the Friday meeting, board members complained they could not gauge the scope of the problem there.
St. Croix board member Claudette Petersen noted that Thomas had a track record of not attending board meetings. "I am completely disgusted with Mr. Joseph," she said. "He has completely disrespected this board by never showing up. I don't even want to hear his report, because he's not here to question," she said.
One St. Croix board member also is named Terrence Joseph. He said he, too, was disturbed at the St. Croix's superintendent's absence during a critical discussion involving the future of this year's graduating classes. "It's becoming an issue," Terrence D. Joseph said. "Please let him know we would like to see him at one of these meetings."
Frett appeared at the meeting in the company of acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael, who left it to him to lead the discussion about implementing the new required courses.
At Eudora Kean, all seniors are taking computer instructions, Frett said, while at Charlotte Amalie, 90 are doing so. He said that left 186 CAHS students short. As for the speech course, Frett said a decision was made to allow students taking business communications to substitute that course for the speech requirement. On that basis, he said, 12 Eudora Kean students appeared to be having difficulty meeting the speech requirement.
The big problem, Frett said, is Developmental Reading and Writing. "How do we in fact identify the students for this course?" he asked.
Board members urged him to find ways to get the seniors in compliance, asking him to submit a list of classes he would consider suitable as alternatives and suggesting he set up a weekend academy for students to attend in order to get credit for the courses.
St. Thomas board member Gerald Hodge appealed for board and department members to work together to find solutions as quickly as possible. The way things stand, he said, many students "will fall short of the requirement needed for graduation" through no fault of their own. "Either we are going to help them, or we are not," he said. "We need to make a commitment … We need to do it as one team, together."
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.
The Board of Education, which sets the curriculum for the schools, made the three courses — Developmental Reading and Writing, Computer Technology and Speech — mandatory in 1996, but the action was never implemented until last year, but then, a member of the board who asked not to be named said, Education Department officials succeeded in getting a waiver that allowed the Class of 2002 to graduate without having to take the three courses.
The board ordered that the course requirements become effective this year. At a board meeting on Friday, St. Thomas-St. John district Superintendent William Frett said it was an "unfunded" mandate and that there are not enough classrooms, teachers or technology to serve more than a third of the current senior classes in the district.
"I do not know if all the students will be able to comply with all of the requirements being imposed on them," he said. "For the Class of 2003 there will be difficulties."
St. Thomas board member Linda Thomas, who teaches at the University of the Virgin Islands, stressed the importance of the courses, especially Developmental Reading and Writing, in light of the number of incoming UVI freshmen whose skills are inadequate. "More than 80 percent of the students — and some of them are honor students — have to take reading and writing skills courses." she said.
About 500 students graduate from CAHS and Eudora Kean together each year. Slightly fewer students graduate from the St. Croix district schools — Central High and Educational Complex. But because the district's superintendent, Terrence T. Joseph, did not appear at the Friday meeting, board members complained they could not gauge the scope of the problem there.
St. Croix board member Claudette Petersen noted that Thomas had a track record of not attending board meetings. "I am completely disgusted with Mr. Joseph," she said. "He has completely disrespected this board by never showing up. I don't even want to hear his report, because he's not here to question," she said.
One St. Croix board member also is named Terrence Joseph. He said he, too, was disturbed at the St. Croix's superintendent's absence during a critical discussion involving the future of this year's graduating classes. "It's becoming an issue," Terrence D. Joseph said. "Please let him know we would like to see him at one of these meetings."
Frett appeared at the meeting in the company of acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael, who left it to him to lead the discussion about implementing the new required courses.
At Eudora Kean, all seniors are taking computer instructions, Frett said, while at Charlotte Amalie, 90 are doing so. He said that left 186 CAHS students short. As for the speech course, Frett said a decision was made to allow students taking business communications to substitute that course for the speech requirement. On that basis, he said, 12 Eudora Kean students appeared to be having difficulty meeting the speech requirement.
The big problem, Frett said, is Developmental Reading and Writing. "How do we in fact identify the students for this course?" he asked.
Board members urged him to find ways to get the seniors in compliance, asking him to submit a list of classes he would consider suitable as alternatives and suggesting he set up a weekend academy for students to attend in order to get credit for the courses.
St. Thomas board member Gerald Hodge appealed for board and department members to work together to find solutions as quickly as possible. The way things stand, he said, many students "will fall short of the requirement needed for graduation" through no fault of their own. "Either we are going to help them, or we are not," he said. "We need to make a commitment … We need to do it as one team, together."
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.
MANDATED NEW COURSES COULD HOLD SENIORS BACK
Oct. 14, 2002 – About 180 of the seniors attending Charlotte Amalie and Ivanna Eudora Kean High Schools might not graduate next May unless the Education Department finds a way to get them into three courses that are newly required for graduation.
The Board of Education, which sets the curriculum for the schools, made the three courses — Developmental Reading and Writing, Computer Technology and Speech — mandatory in 1996, but the action was never implemented until last year, but then, a member of the board who asked not to be named said, Education Department officials succeeded in getting a waiver that allowed the Class of 2002 to graduate without having to take the three courses.
The board ordered that the course requirements become effective this year. At a board meeting on Friday, St. Thomas-St. John district Superintendent William Frett said it was an "unfunded" mandate and that there are not enough classrooms, teachers or technology to serve more than a third of the current senior classes in the district.
"I do not know if all the students will be able to comply with all of the requirements being imposed on them," he said. "For the Class of 2003 there will be difficulties."
St. Thomas board member Linda Thomas, who teaches at the University of the Virgin Islands, stressed the importance of the courses, especially Developmental Reading and Writing, in light of the number of incoming UVI freshmen whose skills are inadequate. "More than 80 percent of the students — and some of them are honor students — have to take reading and writing skills courses." she said.
About 500 students graduate from CAHS and Eudora Kean together each year. Slightly fewer students graduate from the St. Croix district schools — Central High and Educational Complex. But because the district's superintendent, Terrence T. Joseph, did not appear at the Friday meeting, board members complained they could not gauge the scope of the problem there.
St. Croix board member Claudette Petersen noted that Thomas had a track record of not attending board meetings. "I am completely disgusted with Mr. Joseph," she said. "He has completely disrespected this board by never showing up. I don't even want to hear his report, because he's not here to question," she said.
One St. Croix board member also is named Terrence Joseph. He said he, too, was disturbed at the St. Croix's superintendent's absence during a critical discussion involving the future of this year's graduating classes. "It's becoming an issue," Terrence D. Joseph said. "Please let him know we would like to see him at one of these meetings."
Frett appeared at the meeting in the company of acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael, who left it to him to lead the discussion about implementing the new required courses.
At Eudora Kean, all seniors are taking computer instructions, Frett said, while at Charlotte Amalie, 90 are doing so. He said that left 186 CAHS students short. As for the speech course, Frett said a decision was made to allow students taking business communications to substitute that course for the speech requirement. On that basis, he said, 12 Eudora Kean students appeared to be having difficulty meeting the speech requirement.
The big problem, Frett said, is Developmental Reading and Writing. "How do we in fact identify the students for this course?" he asked.
Board members urged him to find ways to get the seniors in compliance, asking him to submit a list of classes he would consider suitable as alternatives and suggesting he set up a weekend academy for students to attend in order to get credit for the courses.
St. Thomas board member Gerald Hodge appealed for board and department members to work together to find solutions as quickly as possible. The way things stand, he said, many students "will fall short of the requirement needed for graduation" through no fault of their own. "Either we are going to help them, or we are not," he said. "We need to make a commitment … We need to do it as one team, together."
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.
The Board of Education, which sets the curriculum for the schools, made the three courses — Developmental Reading and Writing, Computer Technology and Speech — mandatory in 1996, but the action was never implemented until last year, but then, a member of the board who asked not to be named said, Education Department officials succeeded in getting a waiver that allowed the Class of 2002 to graduate without having to take the three courses.
The board ordered that the course requirements become effective this year. At a board meeting on Friday, St. Thomas-St. John district Superintendent William Frett said it was an "unfunded" mandate and that there are not enough classrooms, teachers or technology to serve more than a third of the current senior classes in the district.
"I do not know if all the students will be able to comply with all of the requirements being imposed on them," he said. "For the Class of 2003 there will be difficulties."
St. Thomas board member Linda Thomas, who teaches at the University of the Virgin Islands, stressed the importance of the courses, especially Developmental Reading and Writing, in light of the number of incoming UVI freshmen whose skills are inadequate. "More than 80 percent of the students — and some of them are honor students — have to take reading and writing skills courses." she said.
About 500 students graduate from CAHS and Eudora Kean together each year. Slightly fewer students graduate from the St. Croix district schools — Central High and Educational Complex. But because the district's superintendent, Terrence T. Joseph, did not appear at the Friday meeting, board members complained they could not gauge the scope of the problem there.
St. Croix board member Claudette Petersen noted that Thomas had a track record of not attending board meetings. "I am completely disgusted with Mr. Joseph," she said. "He has completely disrespected this board by never showing up. I don't even want to hear his report, because he's not here to question," she said.
One St. Croix board member also is named Terrence Joseph. He said he, too, was disturbed at the St. Croix's superintendent's absence during a critical discussion involving the future of this year's graduating classes. "It's becoming an issue," Terrence D. Joseph said. "Please let him know we would like to see him at one of these meetings."
Frett appeared at the meeting in the company of acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael, who left it to him to lead the discussion about implementing the new required courses.
At Eudora Kean, all seniors are taking computer instructions, Frett said, while at Charlotte Amalie, 90 are doing so. He said that left 186 CAHS students short. As for the speech course, Frett said a decision was made to allow students taking business communications to substitute that course for the speech requirement. On that basis, he said, 12 Eudora Kean students appeared to be having difficulty meeting the speech requirement.
The big problem, Frett said, is Developmental Reading and Writing. "How do we in fact identify the students for this course?" he asked.
Board members urged him to find ways to get the seniors in compliance, asking him to submit a list of classes he would consider suitable as alternatives and suggesting he set up a weekend academy for students to attend in order to get credit for the courses.
St. Thomas board member Gerald Hodge appealed for board and department members to work together to find solutions as quickly as possible. The way things stand, he said, many students "will fall short of the requirement needed for graduation" through no fault of their own. "Either we are going to help them, or we are not," he said. "We need to make a commitment … We need to do it as one team, together."
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.
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DEAL SAVES $15M IN FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDS
Oct. 14, 2002 – To prevent the loss of $15 million in federal funds, acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael convinced U.S. Department of Education officials during a recent trip to Washington, D.C., to convert the existing grant into a planning grant.
"It was either that or lose the grant," Michael told the Board of Education. "When we got to Washington, the discussion was about not letting us get the money at all."
For Fiscal Year 2001, the Virgin Islands received $31.9 million in federal education funds. But according to a report from the V.I. government, the funds were received on Sept. 30, 2001, the last day of the fiscal year, and the territory was given nine months to spend the money, instead of the usual two years.
According to a status report delivered at the Board of Education meeting on Friday, the territory is a year behind schedule receiving federal education funds, which shortened the amount of time in which Education must spend the money or send it back. Dwight Simmonds, director of grants and audits for the Education Department, said the grants were late for "various reasons."
Simmonds said all but $1.4 million of the 2001 grant was obligated, but it was hard to engage local vendors because they were reluctant to do business with the V.I. government based on a history of payment and collection problems.
Michael said part of the planning grant funds will be used to meet the requirements of a new compliance agreement between local and federal education officials. The rest will be used to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for Education Department staff and to meet requirements of the new No Child Left Behind Act.
Michael and members of her staff delivered the funding report to the Board of Education because the board has oversight on federal education funds. Evadney Hodge, board executive director, expressed dismay upon hearing that the acting commissioner had decided how the would be received and spent without consulting the board.
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.
"It was either that or lose the grant," Michael told the Board of Education. "When we got to Washington, the discussion was about not letting us get the money at all."
For Fiscal Year 2001, the Virgin Islands received $31.9 million in federal education funds. But according to a report from the V.I. government, the funds were received on Sept. 30, 2001, the last day of the fiscal year, and the territory was given nine months to spend the money, instead of the usual two years.
According to a status report delivered at the Board of Education meeting on Friday, the territory is a year behind schedule receiving federal education funds, which shortened the amount of time in which Education must spend the money or send it back. Dwight Simmonds, director of grants and audits for the Education Department, said the grants were late for "various reasons."
Simmonds said all but $1.4 million of the 2001 grant was obligated, but it was hard to engage local vendors because they were reluctant to do business with the V.I. government based on a history of payment and collection problems.
Michael said part of the planning grant funds will be used to meet the requirements of a new compliance agreement between local and federal education officials. The rest will be used to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for Education Department staff and to meet requirements of the new No Child Left Behind Act.
Michael and members of her staff delivered the funding report to the Board of Education because the board has oversight on federal education funds. Evadney Hodge, board executive director, expressed dismay upon hearing that the acting commissioner had decided how the would be received and spent without consulting the board.
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.
DEAL SAVES $15M IN FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDS
Oct. 14, 2002 – To prevent the loss of $15 million in federal funds, acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael convinced U.S. Department of Education officials during a recent trip to Washington, D.C., to convert the existing grant into a planning grant.
"It was either that or lose the grant," Michael told the Board of Education. "When we got to Washington, the discussion was about not letting us get the money at all."
For Fiscal Year 2001, the Virgin Islands received $31.9 million in federal education funds. But according to a report from the V.I. government, the funds were received on Sept. 30, 2001, the last day of the fiscal year, and the territory was given nine months to spend the money, instead of the usual two years.
According to a status report delivered at the Board of Education meeting on Friday, the territory is a year behind schedule receiving federal education funds, which shortened the amount of time in which Education must spend the money or send it back. Dwight Simmonds, director of grants and audits for the Education Department, said the grants were late for "various reasons."
Simmonds said all but $1.4 million of the 2001 grant was obligated, but it was hard to engage local vendors because they were reluctant to do business with the V.I. government based on a history of payment and collection problems.
Michael said part of the planning grant funds will be used to meet the requirements of a new compliance agreement between local and federal education officials. The rest will be used to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for Education Department staff and to meet requirements of the new No Child Left Behind Act.
Michael and members of her staff delivered the funding report to the Board of Education because the board has oversight on federal education funds. Evadney Hodge, board executive director, expressed dismay upon hearing that the acting commissioner had decided how the would be received and spent without consulting the board.
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.
"It was either that or lose the grant," Michael told the Board of Education. "When we got to Washington, the discussion was about not letting us get the money at all."
For Fiscal Year 2001, the Virgin Islands received $31.9 million in federal education funds. But according to a report from the V.I. government, the funds were received on Sept. 30, 2001, the last day of the fiscal year, and the territory was given nine months to spend the money, instead of the usual two years.
According to a status report delivered at the Board of Education meeting on Friday, the territory is a year behind schedule receiving federal education funds, which shortened the amount of time in which Education must spend the money or send it back. Dwight Simmonds, director of grants and audits for the Education Department, said the grants were late for "various reasons."
Simmonds said all but $1.4 million of the 2001 grant was obligated, but it was hard to engage local vendors because they were reluctant to do business with the V.I. government based on a history of payment and collection problems.
Michael said part of the planning grant funds will be used to meet the requirements of a new compliance agreement between local and federal education officials. The rest will be used to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for Education Department staff and to meet requirements of the new No Child Left Behind Act.
Michael and members of her staff delivered the funding report to the Board of Education because the board has oversight on federal education funds. Evadney Hodge, board executive director, expressed dismay upon hearing that the acting commissioner had decided how the would be received and spent without consulting the board.
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DEAL SAVES $15M IN FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDS
Oct. 14, 2002 – To prevent the loss of $15 million in federal funds, acting Education Commissioner Noreen Michael convinced U.S. Department of Education officials during a recent trip to Washington, D.C., to convert the existing grant into a planning grant.
"It was either that or lose the grant," Michael told the Board of Education. "When we got to Washington, the discussion was about not letting us get the money at all."
For Fiscal Year 2001, the Virgin Islands received $31.9 million in federal education funds. But according to a report from the V.I. government, the funds were received on Sept. 30, 2001, the last day of the fiscal year, and the territory was given nine months to spend the money, instead of the usual two years.
According to a status report delivered at the Board of Education meeting on Friday, the territory is a year behind schedule receiving federal education funds, which shortened the amount of time in which Education must spend the money or send it back. Dwight Simmonds, director of grants and audits for the Education Department, said the grants were late for "various reasons."
Simmonds said all but $1.4 million of the 2001 grant was obligated, but it was hard to engage local vendors because they were reluctant to do business with the V.I. government based on a history of payment and collection problems.
Michael said part of the planning grant funds will be used to meet the requirements of a new compliance agreement between local and federal education officials. The rest will be used to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for Education Department staff and to meet requirements of the new No Child Left Behind Act.
Michael and members of her staff delivered the funding report to the Board of Education because the board has oversight on federal education funds. Evadney Hodge, board executive director, expressed dismay upon hearing that the acting commissioner had decided how the would be received and spent without consulting the board.
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"It was either that or lose the grant," Michael told the Board of Education. "When we got to Washington, the discussion was about not letting us get the money at all."
For Fiscal Year 2001, the Virgin Islands received $31.9 million in federal education funds. But according to a report from the V.I. government, the funds were received on Sept. 30, 2001, the last day of the fiscal year, and the territory was given nine months to spend the money, instead of the usual two years.
According to a status report delivered at the Board of Education meeting on Friday, the territory is a year behind schedule receiving federal education funds, which shortened the amount of time in which Education must spend the money or send it back. Dwight Simmonds, director of grants and audits for the Education Department, said the grants were late for "various reasons."
Simmonds said all but $1.4 million of the 2001 grant was obligated, but it was hard to engage local vendors because they were reluctant to do business with the V.I. government based on a history of payment and collection problems.
Michael said part of the planning grant funds will be used to meet the requirements of a new compliance agreement between local and federal education officials. The rest will be used to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment for Education Department staff and to meet requirements of the new No Child Left Behind Act.
Michael and members of her staff delivered the funding report to the Board of Education because the board has oversight on federal education funds. Evadney Hodge, board executive director, expressed dismay upon hearing that the acting commissioner had decided how the would be received and spent without consulting the board.
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UVI IN SOUND FISCAL SHAPE, TRUSTEES TOLD
Oct. 14, 2002 – The University of the Virgin Islands is feeling the crunch of the territory's insurance crisis, according to reports presented at a UVI board of trustees meeting Saturday.
Property insurance costs soared in the Virgin Islands last year when several companies stopped writing coverage in the territory. Previously, UVI purchased $17 million worth of windstorm insurance and $79 million in earthquake and fire coverage, Vincent Samuel, associate vice president for administration and finance, said.
"Our strategy changed this year because of availability and cost," Samuel said. In the case of windstorm coverage, "That amount [$17 million] was not available to us this year," he said.
UVI purchased $12 million in windstorm and $79 million in fire and earthquake insurance coverage this year at a cost of $1.6 million, Samuel said. A consultant recommended that amount of coverage based on losses likely to be sustained in a Category 4 hurricane.
Still, "Twelve million in insurance cost $500,000 more than we paid last year for $17 million," said Malcolm Kirwan, UVI's former vice president for administration finance who has been named executive director of the university's new research and technology park.
Even with the increased insurance costs and despite a fourth-quarter allotment reduction of $1.1 million, UVI is in sound fiscal condition, according to Roy Jackson, the board's Finance Committee chair. "Throughout the last three quarters, we've received all anticipated allotments," he said. "There was a reduction in the fourth quarter, but that was across the board."
In that final quarter, Jackson said, all government agencies' allotments were reduced because of a shortfall in revenue collections. However, he said two additional allocations totaling $1.5 million that were not part of UVI's original budget appropriation will pick up the slack, and the university will end up receiving $385,170 above the Fiscal Year 2002 budgeted funds.
And, Jackson added, the university has managed to keep its purse strings tight this year, spending only 88 percent of its budgeted funds. There was a 23 percent increase in revenues and only a 17 percent increase in expenditures.
One area less under control that came up for discussion at the board meeting is UVI's public image. An article in The Avis several months ago reported that the entire Class of 2002 in the associate degree in nursing program on St. Croix had failed. Some board members expressed concern about the school's representation in the media in the wake of that article.
UVI President LaVerne Ragster said the article was inaccurate. She said four students enrolled in one required course failed, and that since then a mentoring program has been put in place.
Ragster said more control over what gets into the media is the answer. "The problem is, you have staff and students talking to the press and the press putting together a story that was not under our control," she said.
An accomplishment that reflects well on UVI is the implementation of money-saving energy- and water-conservation measures. Board member Henry Smock, who chairs the Building and Grounds Committee, reported that St. Croix's campus is almost 100 percent self-sufficient.
"The UVI staff is clearly doing more with less here; both campuses never looked better," he said.
A large portion of the three-hour public meeting was dedicated to discussion about a change in the UVI organizational chart. Ragster proposed to give more authority to the chancellor on each campus in an effort to streamline administrative functions. The suggestion was met with apprehension by several board members, and a follow-up meeting to vote on the measure was set for Nov. 9.
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Property insurance costs soared in the Virgin Islands last year when several companies stopped writing coverage in the territory. Previously, UVI purchased $17 million worth of windstorm insurance and $79 million in earthquake and fire coverage, Vincent Samuel, associate vice president for administration and finance, said.
"Our strategy changed this year because of availability and cost," Samuel said. In the case of windstorm coverage, "That amount [$17 million] was not available to us this year," he said.
UVI purchased $12 million in windstorm and $79 million in fire and earthquake insurance coverage this year at a cost of $1.6 million, Samuel said. A consultant recommended that amount of coverage based on losses likely to be sustained in a Category 4 hurricane.
Still, "Twelve million in insurance cost $500,000 more than we paid last year for $17 million," said Malcolm Kirwan, UVI's former vice president for administration finance who has been named executive director of the university's new research and technology park.
Even with the increased insurance costs and despite a fourth-quarter allotment reduction of $1.1 million, UVI is in sound fiscal condition, according to Roy Jackson, the board's Finance Committee chair. "Throughout the last three quarters, we've received all anticipated allotments," he said. "There was a reduction in the fourth quarter, but that was across the board."
In that final quarter, Jackson said, all government agencies' allotments were reduced because of a shortfall in revenue collections. However, he said two additional allocations totaling $1.5 million that were not part of UVI's original budget appropriation will pick up the slack, and the university will end up receiving $385,170 above the Fiscal Year 2002 budgeted funds.
And, Jackson added, the university has managed to keep its purse strings tight this year, spending only 88 percent of its budgeted funds. There was a 23 percent increase in revenues and only a 17 percent increase in expenditures.
One area less under control that came up for discussion at the board meeting is UVI's public image. An article in The Avis several months ago reported that the entire Class of 2002 in the associate degree in nursing program on St. Croix had failed. Some board members expressed concern about the school's representation in the media in the wake of that article.
UVI President LaVerne Ragster said the article was inaccurate. She said four students enrolled in one required course failed, and that since then a mentoring program has been put in place.
Ragster said more control over what gets into the media is the answer. "The problem is, you have staff and students talking to the press and the press putting together a story that was not under our control," she said.
An accomplishment that reflects well on UVI is the implementation of money-saving energy- and water-conservation measures. Board member Henry Smock, who chairs the Building and Grounds Committee, reported that St. Croix's campus is almost 100 percent self-sufficient.
"The UVI staff is clearly doing more with less here; both campuses never looked better," he said.
A large portion of the three-hour public meeting was dedicated to discussion about a change in the UVI organizational chart. Ragster proposed to give more authority to the chancellor on each campus in an effort to streamline administrative functions. The suggestion was met with apprehension by several board members, and a follow-up meeting to vote on the measure was set for Nov. 9.
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.
