Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 Opens on St. Croix, Marking First Ground-Up Disaster-Recovery School in USVI

ST. CROIX — The Virgin Islands government on Friday formally opened the new Arthur A. Richards PreK-8 School, completing the territory’s first public school rebuilt from the ground up using disaster-recovery funding and delivering a major education reconstruction project just days before public schools reopen Monday. The campus was constructed on the site of the former Evelyn M. Williams Elementary School. The new PreK-8 campus includes classrooms built to withstand future storms, playgrounds and a swimming pool that expands opportunities for physical education, athletics and swimming instruction. The Evelyn M. Williams Commons houses the cafeteria, library and media center and can accommodate 750 students. Education officials described the wider campus as designed for safety and innovation while supporting curiosity, collaboration, creativity and learning. Students are expected to begin using the new facility when public schools open Monday. [Pictures of the New Campus] Governor A...