St. Croix Educational Complex High School. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM.
The V.I. Department of Education has announced the closure of the St. Croix Educational Complex High School (SCEC) on Friday, August 15, due to ongoing water pressure issues that have yet to be resolved.
According to VIDE, the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance (BSCM) alerted officials earlier today that a water pump failure has resulted in low water pressure across the SCEC campus. Although efforts were made throughout the day to fix the problem, both BSCM personnel and the contracted repair team were unable to fully restore normal service.
According to VIDE, the contractor, who remains on-site, has determined that additional work will be required through the weekend to fully resolve the issue. Damaged pumps will be replaced with new units to ensure a lasting solution.
The Education Department stressed that the decision to close the school was made to protect the health, safety, and well-being of students and staff, citing the need for reliable water access for restrooms and other essential facilities.
While SCEC will be closed, the St. Croix Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) side of the campus will remain open and operate on a normal schedule Friday, as water pressure there is sufficient to support daily activities.
The department acknowledged the disruption to families, students, and staff, particularly so early in the new school year, and extended apologies for the inconvenience. “We appreciate your patience and understanding as the BSCM works diligently to complete the necessary repairs,” VIDE said in its notice.
Based on BSCM’s current assessment, all repairs are expected to be finished over the weekend, allowing SCEC to reopen for normal operations at the start of next week. VIDE pledged to continue providing timely updates to keep stakeholders informed.
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