Education

Tension in Senate During Education Hearing: Berry-Benjamin 'Appalled' by Outcome; Senators Say Roughly $400 Million Yet to be Expended as School Reopening Draws Closer

The tension between the V.I. Dept. of Education and 34th Legislature senators was apparent Wednesday, as lawmakers sought to dig deeper into the department’s plan to spend roughly $400 million in federal funding received by the local government from 2018 to present. Senators were left dissatisfied with the responses they received. D.O.E. received approximately $211 million in federal funding from CARES Act funds and the American Rescue Plan, signed into law by former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden respectively. Senators were eager to learn of the department's plan to expend the funds to improve the quality of public schools as a return to in-person learning, set for August 9, draws closer.  Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory pointed out that funds allocated from 2018 and 2019 had yet to be expended, with Ava Penn, Deputy Education commissioner confirming the senator's statement. Ms. Penn said D.O.E. has been working to spend those dollars as well. While no aggregate...