July 10, 2008 – Plans are underway to rectify a problem with the discharge of sewage from the Juanita Gardine Elementary School on St. Croix. Communications have been established between the Education Department and the Department of Public Works to develop a "scope of work" to address the situation.
"An assessment found that several plumbing lines at the Juanita Gardine School require redirection. The release of sewage has caused a stench in the area as well as into the neighboring deChabert Housing Community," said Commissioner of Education La Verne Terry.
The department's maintenance personnel have been working to deal with the problem while long-range plans are being developed.
"A decision has been made to discontinue the use of the bathroom facilities identified as the root of the problem, thereby alleviating the current situation," Terry said.
Closing the facilities will not interrupt the Summer Enrichment Program currently being held at the school.
"Students will be routed to alternate facilities throughout the campus during the course of the program. It is our intent, with the assistance of the Public Works Department, Planning and Natural Resources, the Waste Management Authority, and other agencies as necessary, that we will have the situation corrected shortly and not cause further inconvenience to the families of the deChabert Community and Richmond area who have been adversely affected," said the commissioner.