The V.I. Dept. of Education announced late Wednesday that it recently shared a comprehensive update on the 30-day maintenance projects for public schools within the St. Croix School District. This initiative, which began in October, involves a variety of repairs and ongoing projects, each tailored to the specific needs of the individual schools.
The detailed project list, accessible on the Education Department's website and Facebook page, outlines the type and status of each project.
The projects, which span a range of necessities, require several phases before commencement. D.O.E. said this includes bid solicitation, scope of work development, contract securing, execution of purchase orders, and the reappropriation of federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education. The local Education Department said that due to the complexity of these tasks, the process for some projects is still ongoing.
Some projects are under contracts that will extend beyond the 30-day mark, potentially taking up to 90 days to complete. While certain tasks began within the initial timeframe, they will continue to be actively worked on until completion, D.O.E. said.
The 30-day plan was brought up during an interview the Consortium's Ernice Gilbert held with Governor Albert Bryan, during which Mr. Bryan said the timeline was unrealistic.
"I mean, come on. How? With what crew, with what construction team, with what supplies?" he asked, pointing to the territory's continuing workforce struggles and an unemployment rate hovering just over 3 percent.
In its Wednesday release, the V.I. Dept. of Education emphasized that project timelines can vary, particularly when contracts are involved. The department now says that completion time depends on the nature of the services provided. For tasks requiring purchase orders, the processing time can take up to 10 business days after the scope description is submitted. Projects awaiting approval for the reappropriation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the USDE face additional delays, as approval is contingent upon several factors, including the requirement for contractors to have full bonding, the V.I. D.O.E. stated.
The department sought to assure the public that the maintenance work in the St. Croix District is progressing and remains a priority. Regular updates on the advancement of these projects will be provided as they move towards completion.
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