Sen. Vargrave Richards, whose Committee on Youth and Human Services heard testimony last week from young people on a variety of issues affecting them, is calling for Gov. Charles W. Turnbull to address what students called "hazardous conditions" at Charlotte Amalie High School and longstanding damage to a wing of Elena Christian Junior High School.
"A preliminary investigation suggests that money has been appropriated for these needs and it's a matter of the Department of Property and Procurement executing a contract with a construction company," Richards said Monday. "There seems to be some holdup in deciding who should get the contract."
Richards said he is asking Turnbull to join him in making repairs a top priority for the music room of CAHS – damaged in a fire last year – and Elena Christian.
The students know that schools do not meet some fire and safety standards, Richards said. "We must not wait until legal action forces immediate resolution to these languishing conditions," he said.
James O'Bryan Jr., special assistant to the governor, said Monday afternoon that he had not seen the letter and could not comment.
