Despite a planned job action Wednesday by St. Thomas teachers, Education Commissioner Ruby Simmonds said schools will be open.
The expected teacher action follows sickouts Tuesday by some firefighters and police officers to protest raises and promotions given to dozens of Turnbull administration officials while rank-and-file government employees face spending cutbacks.
In a release Tuesday afternoon, Simmonds said, "It has been brought to our attention that a majority of our teachers will not be available to their students on Wednesday, Sept. 15. Parents and guardians are advised that schools will stay open."
However, later in the release the commissioner said, "Parents and guardians are also advised that they should consider whether to send their children to school on Wednesday or to make alternate arrangements."
The release directed principals and administrative staff to report as usual.
Incensed over media reports last Thursday that Gov. Charles Turnbull had once again granted pay increases to a number of government employees in administrative positions, teachers at Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School walked out, promising a bigger protest to come.
Later the American Federation of Teachers announced plans to hold a protest rally at the Legislature Building on Wednesday, the day the administration is supposed to present a government-reorganization plan.
On Monday students on St. Croix marched on the Education Complex to protest the lack of school nurses, trained campus monitors and security, the need for cleaner facilities and other issues.
The issue of security was one of the main reasons for the protest, following an altercation between a student and an adult monitor last week.
"We want to be heard by the public and the administration," said one student leader Monday morning. "We know what we want and what we need. We can’’t learn in a school that’s not properly protected."
Education has been besieged with problems even before school started this fall –- beginning with the alleged coverup of water contamination at Joseph Sibilly Elementary and its annex, James Monroe.
Simmonds' release said the commissioner expected teachers to return to their classrooms Thursday and that schools would resume their regular schedule.
Editors' note: For more on the BCB walkout, see "BCB teachers walk out, classes dismissed" on local news, St. Thomas Source. More information on the student protest can be found at St. Croix Source.
