$384 Million FEMA Grant Boosts USVI School Rebuilding Efforts

The U.S. Virgin Islands will benefit from a significant federal boost, receiving $384.8 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the demolition and reconstruction of hurricane-impacted schools. This marks a critical step in the territory’s ongoing recovery from the devastating effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

This transformative funding will facilitate the complete reconstruction of three elementary schools on St. Croix and one on St. Thomas, in addition to repairs to a school lunch warehouse on St. Thomas. These efforts are a part of FEMA’s continued partnership with the Virgin Islands government and its Department of Education to provide safe, modern educational environments.

Kristen A. Hodge, Director of FEMA’s Recovery Office in the U.S. Virgin Islands, reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to the territory’s educational future. “I am pleased to approve these latest obligations that help bring the Virgin Islands closer to post-hurricane recovery. Our commitment to the future leaders of the Virgin Islands by providing them safe facilities in which to receive their education remains strong,” she stated.

Project Highlights and Funding Specifics:

• Lew Muckle Elementary School on St. Croix will see prudent reconstruction of seven of its 11 buildings on a 3.94-acre site in Sion Farm.
• Eulalie Rivera Elementary School, also on St. Croix, will undergo the replacement of 12 structures, including classrooms and facilities such as the athletic field bathroom.
• Juanita Gardine Elementary School in Estate Richmond, St. Croix, is set for extensive rebuilding, including its auditorium and several auxiliary buildings.
• On St. Thomas, Leonard Dober Elementary School will have three buildings replaced following severe damage from the 2017 hurricanes.
• Additionally, repairs to a 7,000-square-foot lunch warehouse on St. Thomas will restore essential functionality and design.

Enabled by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, these funds will allow the V.I. Department of Education to not only rebuild but also modernize educational facilities, merging several schools into updated campuses like Alfredo Andrews and Alexander Henderson Schools. Leonard Dober Elementary School will be closed as it is currently not used for instructional purposes.

The Department of Education expressed its appreciation for this federal aid. “These grant awards signify a pivotal moment for education in the Virgin Islands, allowing for the development of much-needed new schools and the modernization of existing facilities with a focus on equity for all students,” it said.

The department also highlighted the comprehensive nature of the funding. “It is essential to recognize that these grants cover more than construction. They extend to land acquisition, project management, demolition, and design,” VIDE noted. This comprehensive approach ensures thorough planning and execution to meet the highest educational standards.