Rodents and Power Outages Undermine VIDE Technology as Officials Cite WAPA Failures and Aging Infrastructure

An unlikely duo is presenting massive challenges to the technological infrastructure the V.I. Department of Education needs to provide an effective learning environment: rodents, and the Water and Power Authority.  When Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington appeared before the Committee on Education and Workforce Development on Thursday, she testified that the department continues to face ongoing network and internet connectivity challenges. It has primarily impacted schools on St. Thomas, where VIDE’s primary network operations center is based, but St. Croix hasn’t been spared either.  While these challenges are “largely due to aging infrastructure, outdated equipment, and recurring systems failures across both districts,” Commissioner Wells-Hedrington noted that a “major contributing factor has been the frequency of territory-wide power outages.” These faults have “damaged critical technology equipment, particularly battery backup systems needed to protect and maintain ope...