The Virgin Islands Department of Education continues to deliver on Gov. John P. de Jongh’s pledge to improve school facilities in the territory.As students and teachers prepare to return to classes in two weeks, the department officials Wednesday provided an overview of the work that remains to be completed at the territory’s public schools and a timeline of the projects that will continue past the opening of schools on Aug. 30.
In the St. Thomas-St. John District work continues:
1. Charlotte Amalie High School
· Auditorium Stage: handicap lift and final flooring to be installed by mid September
· Eastern Boundary Security Fencing (capital project): to be completed by October
2. Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
· Emergency Exit Stairs: concrete has to cure prior to removing partitions and painting
3. Ulla Muller Elementary School Cafeteria
· Doors and door frames for storage area and adjacent restrooms: 90% complete- pending equipment delivery
4. A/C Upgrade Projects- 90 percent complete
· Bowsky: Roof mounted unit in Administrator’s building on back order (mid-September arrival)
· BCB: Cafeteria unit on back order (mid-September arrival)
· Lockhart classroom units on back order (mid-September arrival)
Maintenance work in that of electrical ballast and light replacements, cleaning and servicing of A/C fixtures was carried out at all district schools.
In the St. Croix district work continues at:
Central High School
The kitchen floor and cafeteria stage floor repairs are just about 90 percent complete. Work on the parking lot in front of the gymnasium is in progress and will be completed in two weeks. Doors and windows replacement in the Zenon building just started. The estimated completion time is September 30.
Complex/CTECH
School entrance exterior lighting completed, new ceiling fans installed in classrooms. Cisterns have been cleaned and repaired. The only outstanding item is the installation of a 2.5 Ton AC unit in RM A 115, which will be completed by next week.
Elena Christian
Guttering replacement and downspouts are completed. Windows have been replaced throughout the gymnasium and awaiting final inspection. Metal doors installation the most outstanding item to be completed by mid September, the doors will be shipped next week.
John H. Woodson
Window replacement in the gymnasium will be completed by the first week in October; existing windows will remain until new windows are on island. All burglar bars have been fabricated and will be completely installed in two weeks.
Arthur Richards
The only outstanding item at this facility is the installations of 10 HP water pump, the bathroom partitions and the coiling door at the maintenance shop. These items are presently being shipped and will be completed in two weeks.
Alexander Henderson
All bathroom partitions will be completed by next week. Presently the bathroom renovations are 70 percent complete. Coating and striping of basketball court will also be completed by next week. Roof repairs will be completed by mid-September.
Alfredo Andrews
Bathroom renovations will be completed by the first week in September. Partitions are being shipped. Guttering throughout this facility is presently being installed and will be completed next week. Perimeter fencing in progress and will be completed next week.
Charles Emanuel
All electrical lighting and fans are completed. Changing of copper lines and brass fittings to PVC in kitchen 100 percent complete as well. Bathroom renovations are making steady progress and will complete by Aug. 30. All partitions are presently being shipped.
Claude O. Markoe
Plastering of bathroom walls are all completed and ready to receive tiles and partitions which are being shipped. This phase of work is scheduled to be completed by the first week in September. Cistern cleaning and repairs are completed.
Juanita Gardine
Flood Mitigation project is 100 percent in addition to roof additions. Ceiling repairs next to the gymnasium are completed. Major roof repairs on 300 and 100 wings is only 20 percent complete and is still awaiting roof coating, which will only be available on Aug 30. This phase of work will be completed by mid-September.
Lew Muckle
Dungeon metal doors and playground mats (special order) will be completed by the second week in September. Toilet partitions are being shipped and will be completely installed by the first week in September. Concrete swale and parking lot resurfacing will be completed by Aug. 30.
Pearl B. Larsen
Gym, roof Insulation repairs will be completed by end of September. Roof repairs at library and music rooms will be completed by mid September due to none availability of roof coating. The playgrounds and basketball court repairs is in progress and will be completed in full by Aug. 30.
Ricardo Richards
Bathroom partitions are being shipped and should be on island in two weeks for installation; work will be completed about the first week in September. Similar situation with automatic door closures, ceiling fans have been replaced and all burglar bars and brackets have been fabricated and ready to be installed.
Evelyn Williams
Roof repairs are on schedule and will be completed next week. Bathroom renovations are 60% complete awaiting partitions to be fully complete by Aug 30.
Eulalie Rivera
Guttering throughout the facility has been replaced covered walkway repainted. Security fencing in progress and will be completed by Aug 30. Bathroom renovations are making steady progress and will be completed within two weeks.
Dr. Terry indicated that none of the mentioned projects will delay or affect any activity within the schools at their current stages, and that the renovation and rehabilitation work will continue as part of the administration’s goal of affording each student in the public school system the best learning environment possible.