The Virgin Islands Education Department hosted an Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry Open House on Tuesday to give the public an opportunity to meet with the contractors responsible for the new-build and modernization of Charlotte Amalie High School and Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School.
The event, held in collaboration with the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance and the Office of Disaster Recovery, took place at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Innovation Center. Local developers gathered to learn about upcoming opportunities in construction, as Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington shared that these projects will draw from the $3.2 billion earmarked for renovation efforts across the territory. “We want to see a new building on each island,” Wells-Hedrington said.
Industry Day started and concluded with a panel discussion featuring representatives from various government agencies, who shared insights on the project’s impact on the community. The panel noted that these projects have been in progress since 2019.
“This is not only the undertaking of rebuilding a high school,” said Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. “This is about the birthright of a community so to speak.”
The governor added that this is the first major project for a school being rebuilt on St. Thomas and essentially a catalyst for the culmination of major rebuilds in the St. Thomas-St. John district, referring to the rebuild of CAHS.
Adrienne Williams-Octalien, director of the Disaster Recovery Office, said that the mission of the project is “building a resilient school for the children of the Virgin Islands.”
James Benton, president and founder of J. Benton Construction, said that the dual school project will total $550 million.
“When we first reviewed this request for proposal about a year and a half ago, it quickly became clear to me how vital these two projects are for St. Thomas and the future of our children,” said Benton, who shared that his passion for education stems from his upbringing, influenced by his grandparents, both teachers and his mother.
Benton added that his company is now under contract with notice to proceed for the rebuild and modernization. Based on the size, complexity, and impact of the projects, over the next year, the public can anticipate the Benton team working through the balance of the design, educational permitting, and the selection of local trade partners and suppliers.
“The next steps will also include really selecting all of the local trade partners and suppliers. This size project, to be successful, will need the support of the entire community,” from interns to large companies – anyone, Benton said, that has the resources that “cares about our future here.”
When asked by The Source afterward how long the projects will take to complete, Benton responded it is anticipated to be five years.
Throughout the panel discussion, conceptualized views of the rebuild of CAHS and the modernization of BCB were displayed. An open design concept is projected for CAHS with easy accessibility to each building. However, Wells-Hedrington said that the displayed concepts are not concrete.
“It’s not final yet, but it gives us an idea,” said the commissioner.
She added that the demolition of CAHS will begin with the construction of administrative buildings and classrooms, then other facilities will be worked on.
“It’s going to be phased in so we don’t lose instructional time,” Wells-Hedrington said.
Thus far, both projects will be worked on by the design build team Consigli Construction and J. Benton Construction, architects SMMA, Design District Architects, and DLR, and Harris Civil Engineers.
The SMMA group responsible for the design spoke with The Source about their extensive experience in building K-12 schools across the country, including new constructions and modernizations similar to those being planned for the territory. Their team includes an educational planner focused on understanding the needs of the students, faculty and the broader community. What makes this project unique, according to SMMA, is the emphasis on the exterior campus design, offering students the opportunity to explore outdoor spaces, enjoy natural light, and take in scenic views—factors that are essential to how children learn.
“We’re excited about building next-generation classrooms where students can open doors to the outdoors and embrace their learning environment,” said SMMA Principal Lorraine Finnigan. The team also emphasized integrating wellness—physical, social, and emotional—into the overall design.
Finnigan further praised the work the Education Department has done to prepare for the project. “The amount of effort VIDE has put in to lay the groundwork for these projects is tremendous. We’re eager to reconnect with staff and understand what’s changed so we can plan for the future.”
Also in attendance for the panel discussion were Craig Benjamin, director of the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance, Jomo McClean, highway program manager at the Public Works Department, various members from the Education Department, and investor groups.
