The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) informs the public, particularly the parents and guardians of students at the St. Croix Educational Complex, that school operations have been suspended today, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, due to a coordinated teacher sick-out.

Earlier this morning, VIDE officials were alerted to a significant shortage of teachers at the St. Croix Educational Complex High School, as many educators either called in sick or reported they would be late. As of now, a total of 35 teachers have reported being unable to attend. An immediate assessment determined that the remaining staff was insufficient to sustain normal school operations. As a result, the school will remain closed for the day due to the lack of instructional personnel.

Parents and guardians are asked to promptly pick up their children from the campus, as there will be no classes today. Transportation will be provided for students who utilize the school bus.

The Virgin Islands Department of Education acknowledges the concerns raised by our dedicated teachers and is committed to addressing them with a spirit of collaboration and understanding. We recognize the vital role educators play in shaping the future of our children and our community, and their voices are essential.

Senior officials from the VIDE St. Croix District are actively working to engage in meaningful dialogue with teachers and are developing a contingency plan to ensure that student instruction can resume on Thursday. Our teachers are the heart of the education system, and we deeply value their dedication to our students. Through continued collaboration and a shared commitment to our students' well-being, we are confident that we can find common ground and resolve these concerns.

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 1002 24 URGENT ALERT SCHOOL CLOSURE AT ST CROIX EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX DUE TO TEACHER SICK OUT (93 KB)

The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) is actively investigating an incident involving a student who was removed from a school bus earlier this morning, Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The student was utilizing transportation services provided by School Busing Inc., a contracted vendor of the VIDE. It is important to clarify that school bus drivers are not employees of the Department of Education.

We regret that this student had to experience being removed from the bus, and the Department is working diligently to gather all the facts surrounding the situation. Due to the nature of the incident, which involves the safety and well-being of students and staff, an incident report has been requested to outline the sequence of events and the cause for action. It is crucial that accurate information is obtained to ensure a fair and thorough investigation.

Initial reports from School Busing Inc. indicate that the student exhibited inappropriate language, unruly behavior, and irate actions that posed a safety concern for other passengers. The bus driver believed these actions could compromise the safety of all on board and, as a result, made the decision to remove the student from the bus. A second bus was dispatched to pick up the student, but the driver was unable to locate him. The school’s administration was immediately notified, and a Virgin Islands Police Department officer subsequently transported the student to the Bertha C. Boschulte campus.

The Department emphasizes that while School Busing Inc. is a contracted vendor, it is critical that all situations are handled according to established procedures and guidelines. As we continue our investigation, both the school bus company and the VIDE will address concerns raised regarding the actions taken by the bus driver.

In accordance with the VIDE’s commitment to student safety, a Bus Conduct Responsibilities and Consequences document provides comprehensive guidelines for school bus safety procedures. These rules are in place to ensure that students, staff, and bus drivers understand their responsibilities while on the bus. Students are expected to exhibit orderly conduct at all times, and bus drivers must adhere strictly to the proper protocols. Failure to follow these policies will result in accountability measures for all parties involved.

A parental hearing will be conducted to ensure that all parties are heard, and appropriate steps will be taken to resolve the situation and prevent further incidents. The Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of all students and will take corrective action based on the findings of the investigation.

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Download press release here:  pdf Press Release 1001 24 VIDE Investigating Incident Involving Student Removal from School Bus (134 KB)