Four Virgin Islanders have been appointed by Gov. Charles Turnbull to serve as commissioners on the Education Commission of the States.
Education Commissioner-Desingate Ruby Simmonds, Board of Education Chairman Keith Richards, St. Croix District Superintendent Terence Joseph, and Special Assistant to the Governor Whitman Browne will join Turnbull, Senate President Vargrave Richards, and Sen. Norman Jn.-Baptiste as the territory's representatives to the national organization.
According to a statement released by Government House Monday afternoon, ECS commissioners provide leadership for both the organization's initiatives and the territory's education agenda.
The Virgin Islands' representatives will be able to work with key education policy makers to develop a state strategy for education reform and promote more productive relationships between states, school districts, education officials, and communities, the release said.
The territory's ECS commissioners will also use education and political affiliations, such as the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governor's Association, the Council of Chief State Officers and other organizations, to focus on key education issues, the release concluded.