Bryan says St. Croix school threat closed three campuses; administration announces 2,469-acre land purchase

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said at a weekly briefing on St. Croix on Aug. 26, 2025, that a threat earlier that day forced the closure of the St. Croix Educational Complex, the Career and Technical Education Center and Central High School.

Bryan said a subsequent sickout by school monitors led to the closure of other public schools in the St. Croix district. He said the administration recognized workers' right to raise concerns but said additional interruptions affected students.

At the same briefing, Bryan, Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol and Territorial Parks and Protected Areas Director Kristina Edwards announced the acquisition of 2,469 acres at Maroon Ridge and Annaly Bay on St. Croix.

Government House said the $17.5 million purchase was funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Inflation Reduction Act, and described it as the largest expansion in the history of the Virgin Islands Park System.

Bryan also outlined upcoming government costs, including an increase in the minimum salary for government employees to $35,000, a 3% increase in employer contributions to the Government Employees' Retirement System that he said would add $12 million to $14 million a year, and a projected $10 million to $20 million increase in the government's share of health-insurance premiums under a new agreement involving the government, Cigna and the GESC Board.

He said he had not seen legislative proposals that fully addressed how the government would cover those costs.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-addresses-school-safety-historic-land-acquisition-and-fiscal-challenges-at-weekly-briefing/