EDUCATION HEARING CALLS FOR MORE COLLABORATION

Written by Public Affairs

Thursday, 28 April 2011 09:43 - Last Updated Thursday, 28 April 2011 09:49

EDUCATION HEARING CALLS FOR MORE COLLABORATION

ST.CROIX--The Committee on Education, Youth and Culture chaired by Senator Janette Millin
Young met Monday, April 18, 2011, to hear the concerns and recommendations of PTA leaders
and other educational stakeholders regarding education on St. Croix.

Senator Millin Young said she has heard the loud public outcry regarding school facilities and
hearing what the testifiers had to say was important to her. She said she wanted to work
together so everyone involved could get to where we all need to be.

Shalima Edwards, Public Relations Officer from Alexander Henderson Elementary School PTA,
testified that knowledge should be used to empower our children. Anna Petersen, President of
Alexander Henderson Elementary School P.T.A. spoke of the long suffering being experienced
in her school regarding the mold and mildew situation.

Daniel McIntosh, a member of the Career and Technical Board (CTA) said his organization has
formed a task force to look into the requirements for graduation, subjects being offered, and the
loss of the CTA programs.  Benita Jules-Laroque, a representative from the American
Federation of Teachers (AFT) spoke about the working conditions and building structures in the
schools.

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EDUCATION HEARING CALLS FOR MORE COLLABORATION

Written by Public Affairs

Thursday, 28 April 2011 09:43 - Last Updated Thursday, 28 April 2011 09:49

Bert Benjamin, PTA President of Arthur A. Richards Junior High School spoke of utilizing
summer students and possibly prisoners for repairs. Educational Complex PTA President
Richard Mohammed, said parents are the key to education. He further indicated that in light of
all of the money that has been invested in education, we still are failing. “We need a new
education paradigm,” advised Mohammed.

Other testifiers included Genevieve Whitaker, who spoke about the lack of Civics in the schools.
Patricia Oliver, a school Librarian said we have outstanding children who have the potential but
don’t recognize it. She told the committee to “follow the money.”

The committee was pleased when two young students testified in perspective of their personal
dilemmas. The younger of the two, spoke of problems he has experienced with the milk being
served at the school. The other student spoke of standardized testing and vocabulary teaching
in his school.  Senator Millin Young assured the student with the health problem that she would
follow up with the school regarding the concern raised.  

Senator Millin Young reassured testifiers who spoke on the issue of summer programs that
although the Governor has vetoed her legislation for $500,000 earmarked to the Labor
Department for summer employment programs, she was very confident that her colleagues
would override it, thus making the programs viable.

Senator Millin Young told the testifiers that she heard their cry for more collaboration.

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EDUCATION HEARING CALLS FOR MORE COLLABORATION

Written by Public Affairs

Thursday, 28 April 2011 09:43 - Last Updated Thursday, 28 April 2011 09:49

Committee members at Monday night’s hearing were Senators Janette Millin Young and Neville
James. Non-Committee members were Senators Ronald E. Russell, Esq. and Sammuel Sanes.

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