Education Boards Warn Funding Shortfalls Are Limiting Scholarships, Facilities and Workforce Training

The Virgin Islands Board of Education and the Board for Career and Technical Education told lawmakers Tuesday that funding shortfalls are limiting scholarships, delaying facility improvements and restricting efforts to prepare students for the territory’s workforce needs.

Appearing before the 36th Legislature’s Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance, the two boards outlined their fiscal year 2027 budget requests while warning that years of underfunding continue to affect programs ranging from student financial aid to career training and facility improvements.

Board of Education

Board of Education Chairman Dr. Kyza A. Callwood told senators the board is requesting $2,137,697 for fiscal year 2027 while also seeking approximately $1.35 million in one-time capital funding to address facility needs on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

The board is requesting about $350,000 to complete restoration of the historic Blake-Guirty House on St. Thomas and roughly $1 million to acquire a permanent office building on St. Croix.

Callwood testified that the board’s leased Christiansted office has experienced significant roof deterioration and environmental issues and is now listed for sale, while the Blake-Guirty House sustained substantial damage during the 2017 hurricanes. Although stabilization work has been completed, he said additional restoration is needed to “maintain a safe working environment for employees and visitors.”

Lawmakers also heard testimony about growing demand for the territory’s scholarship programs.