ST. CROIX — An emergency meeting of the Virgin Islands Board of Education (VIBE) on Tuesday highlighted members’ concerns over the proposed relocation of students from John H. Woodson Junior High School to Eulalie R. Rivera PreK-8 School, as well as broader territory-wide redistricting efforts.
Held both virtually and in person at VIBE offices in both districts, the meeting followed campus tours and reports from administrators about planned changes that could take effect as early as the next school year.
Board members said Woodson administrators opposed moving seventh and eighth graders to Rivera, which was built as an elementary school and accommodates junior high students only in modular units described by member Mary Moorhead as being in “disrepair.”
“The principals in their presentation indicated that the faculty and staff did not want to be removed, relocated to the elementary school setting,” member Winona Hendricks said. “They felt that there was no gymnasium there, or nothing to accommodate their strong involvement with sports and other community activities.”
Member Abigail Hendricks-Cagan said placing middle schoolers in a school designed for elementary students was a “poor fit.”
“We’re struggling already with educating these children as it is, and now we’re moving them from a bad situation to one that’s worse,” she said. “So, it doesn’t make sense to me.”
Moorhead said Rivera lacks a gymnasium, cafeteria, and auditorium. She said there are so many things lacking at the school it would be “ridiculous” to relocate the junior high students from Woodson there. She also questioned how all Woodson students could be accommodated at Rivera, noting that for the past two years, seventh and eighth graders from Frederiksted were unable to attend Rivera due to capacity limits.
“It’s always been my understanding that the students at the Woodson school would be the ones to be enrolled in the new the Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School,” she said, noting the construction of the new Richards school is on schedule for classes to begin next school year.
Despite concerns, board members agreed more information is needed from the Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE).
Hendricks emphasized the need to know what accommodations would be made at Rivera, including gymnasium availability, completion of kitchen renovations, and upgrades to restrooms built for primary students.
“We’re in February now, and we have until August to put certain accommodations to make the facility that of a middle school,” she said.
Kyza Callwood, board chair, referenced a Senate meeting on February 5, during which Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington testified that the transition of 441 Woodson students, 76 faculty and staff, one dean, and two administrators to Rivera was necessary due to environmental concerns. The commissioner also said Rivera has sufficient classroom capacity, he noted. Callwood stressed the need for direct input from VIDE officials.
“We need to really hear what is the real plan in order for the board to make a uniform decision,” he said.
Emmanuella Perez-Cassius, board vice chair, agreed that board members need more information from the Department of Education that should have already been discussed.
“When we go and we do our walk-throughs and questions are being asked, or we’re in our communities and individuals are asking, and the board is clueless to what is happening or how these decisions are made, it does not feel inclusive,” she said.
After the discussion, Moorhead moved that the board formally object to relocating Woodson students to Rivera next school year due to inadequate facilities. Member Terrence Joseph seconded the motion, but Callwood and Perez-Cassius opposed it, calling it premature without more details from the Department of Education.
“We have a meeting coming up with the department, and when the department officially tells us that that is their decision that they’re going to do, then this motion would be appropriate,” Perez-Cassius said.
Moorhead responded.
“Are you saying that the administration at the Woodson school is lying?” she asked.
Callwood interrupted her.
“I’m sorry, member Moorhead,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
Moorhead said she just wanted to point out board members received the information from the school’s administration.
Hendricks agreed the board members need to hear from VIDE officials.
“I do think we ought to give the commissioner of Education and the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance an opportunity to discuss and present their information on Woodson,” she said, noting the board has invited Wells-Hedrington and Craig Benjamin, BSCM executive director, to provide an update.
Moorhead’s motion failed in a 2 to 4 vote, with only her and Joseph supporting it and three members absent.
Board members also raised concerns about broader redistricting plans territory wide.
Hendricks pointed out a need for early notification to parents about redistricting so they know which school their children will be attending and can purchase the proper uniforms.
“Based on the attendance data, based on location of schools, based on the availability of uniforms, we need to discuss this matter so that we, again, can share recommendations and suggestions,” she said.
Wells-Hedrington is expected to address the Woodson relocation and redistricting plans at the board’s next meeting at 2 p.m. on March 12.
