Government

Bryan Defends Dept. of Education on School Maintenance Controversy, Calls AFT 'Disingenuous'

Issues plaguing schools in the St Croix district were the first point of discussion during Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s latest exclusive sit-down interview with Consortium Publisher Ernice Gilbert on Thursday evening. Last month, complaints relating to excruciating classroom heat, less-than-ideal physical environments, and lack of equipment pushed first teachers and subsequently students to stage separate protests, disrupting learning for several days.  Governor Bryan noted information revealed in an ill-fated lawsuit filed by the government against the teacher’s union on St. Croix – that government officials had met with members of the St. Croix arm of the American Federation of Teachers only days before they staged protest action. The meeting afforded the aggrieved a chance to air their concerns, and according to Governor Bryan, temporary solutions were decided upon, including half-day schedules to reduce the effects of the heatwave in schools. It is for this reason that the governor...