There’s an overall improvement in how local public schools are being managed, but concerns over rising levels of gang violence and ongoing maintenance issues were really the focus of the V.I. Board of Education’s annual School Management Accountability report.
"Overall, the members of the board have seen improvement in most areas of management as they relate, not only to the physical plants and maintenance, but also to the academic growth and social environment of the schools," according to the report, which was finalized Thursday but approved by the board last weekend. "While we still have many challenges ahead, the board is encouraged by the steady progress witnessed during our visits to the schools."
The next several pages of the report, however, cite what are described as "deep concerns" over trends observed on several school campuses. In compiling the annual report, Board of Education members visit all local public schools, and speak to administrators and staff.
"Our junior highs and middle schools are struggling, not only academically, but also socially," the report says. "Gang-related activities have become part of the fiber of some of the junior highs and have threatened to undermine the social fabric of our schools and our society as a whole."
Meanwhile, surveillance equipment needs to be installed to document incidents on campus, while teachers and staff need to be trained to deal with any emergencies that arise during the school day. Perimeter fencing needs to be installed at all schools so that the campuses remain secure, board members said.
The board is working to develop policies to counteract bullying, cyber-bullying, and "sexting" — sending nude or degrading pictures of students through text messages or over the Internet. Cell phones are not being used for emergencies but rather for "negative acts," such as cheating and disturbing class, according to the report.
"Administrators and faculty must be provided with the proper training to respond to these behaviors, as they are becoming part of the school landscape now and in the future," the report said.
Board members noted that no local junior high or middle school has met adequate yearly progress standards over the past three years — mainly because of a lack of student attendance. They suggested Education develop strategies to help students and parents "understand the importance" of going to school regularly, or offer incentives to encourage both students and faculty to show up every day.
Programs should also be set up to identify each school’s strengths and weakness, pinpoint the administrators’ goals and explore the implementation of "alternative" strategies, including separate reading and math classes for males and females, board members said.
Several junior high schools also continue to be "plagued" by "poor" facilities. Students at the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School on St. Thomas are still functioning without a proper gym or cafeteria, and board members called for the Education Department to finally make a decision about whether the school will be relocated.
Meanwhile, the Julius Sprauve School on St. John is in the middle of a "noisy and chaotic" environment, the report said.
"A decision to relocate this institution must also be made expeditiously, and plans must be made to expedite the building of another school campus for the children of St. John, "according to the report. "A first-class school that meets the needs of the 21st-century should be the goal of this relocation."
The Guy Benjamin School on St. John also needs a cafeteria, board members said. They suggested that Education find someone to "supervise and coordinate" educational activities and deal with the concerns of school parents and students.
Poor maintenance in local high schools was also a concern outlined in the report, which the board is mandated by law to produce each year. The gym at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School on St. Thomas is in "terrible condition," while students are working in leaky classrooms, according to the report. The completion of the school’s track should also be a top priority, board members said.
"The most urgent situation, however, is that no sidewalks are available for students to walk safely to the school campus," the report said. "This is a major safety issue and must be addressed immediately."
Classrooms are also leaking at the Charlotte Amalie High School. Bathrooms need to be repaired and the track is "now in terrible condition," the report said. Meanwhile, the size of the school’s library and cafeteria may raise concerns when it comes time for CAHS to be re-accredited, according to the report.
Physical improvements at St. Croix’s Central High School have to be completed soon, so the school can be fully accredited in the fall.
"The electrical upgrades and other improvements must be completed so that the faculty, staff and students do not go through the humiliation of having their provisional accreditation withdrawn," the report said.
Though a "relatively new" facility, St. Croix Educational Complex is also in need of repair, including improvements to the track and classrooms, which are showing "signs of deterioration," according the report. The library also needs to be upgraded with students being given access to computers and other technology.
The board urged Education to develop and put in place a comprehensive maintenance plan for the schools, and hire someone to coordinate the maintenance division. Leaky school buildings have exposed students to mold, which have affected students with asthma and caused other respiratory problems, according to the report.
"The board has stated time and time again that the biggest department in this government with over 35 multi-building facilities must have a division with the appropriate architectural, engineering and project management capacity dedicated to guiding the overall maintenance of the department’s facilities," board members said.
Looking at academics, board members encouraged the department to complete a curriculum assessment of the schools, saying there are "too many disparities" among students when it comes to what they’re being taught.
"Some administrations in schools are teaching more than other schools and are challenging students to develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills," according to the report, which also notes a gap in teacher development. Education needs to figure out what programs are not working in the schools, and implement an "administrator’s academy" to promote professional development, board members suggested.
Setting up magnet schools, providing vocational education to elementary school students and nurturing the "young males" were also recommended.