USVI Education Crisis: Over 80 Teachers Resign During 2016-17 School Year; 151 Teaching Vacancies...

[TexasTowelie]

USVI Education Crisis: Over 80 Teachers Resign During 2016-17 School Year; 151 Teaching Vacancies Available

The territory’s financial crisis is continuing to affect all areas of government, including one of the most important aspects of any society: education. The Virgin Islands Department of Education suffered a reduction of over $10 million in its budget between fiscal years 2017-2018, according to testimony given by Sharon McCollum, D.O.E. commissioner, during a budget hearing on Friday. The department’s total allocation during the 2017 fiscal year was $167,050,830. For the upcoming 2018 fiscal year, which begins on October 1, 2017, the allocation is $156,755,559, a drop of $10,295,271.

According to Ms. McCollum, the drop is largely due to the government’s poor financial state, adding that D.O.E. is willing to do its part in burdening cutbacks.

“Let me say from the start, we are cognizant of the financial challenges facing the United States Virgin Islands and we are committed to managing our fiscal year 2018 budget of $156,755,559.00, as proposed,” the education commissioner said. “I can state with confidence that we are agreeable participants in addressing the financial challenges facing the Government of the Virgin Islands. Difficult choices will be made to manage the fiscal year 2018 budget.”

Senators listened helplessly as the commissioner relayed the grim news of the continuing hemorrhaging of teachers, with 81 leaving the department during the 2016-17 school year for better opportunities elsewhere. The department has relied heavily on its substitute teacher pool — made up of retired educators — to fill the widening gap. According to Ms. McCollum, D.O.E. has 70 substitute teachers in the St. Thomas-St. John district, and 67 in the St. Croix district, for a total of 142 substitute teachers. Additionally, D.O.E. has 282 professionals who can retire at any given moment — including 131 teachers and 27 administrators, Ms. McCollum said. DO.E.’s vacancy count stood at 151 as of Friday.

Read more: http://viconsortium.com/featured/usvi-education-crisis/