A newly released School Management Accountability Report by the Virgin Islands Board of Education outlines persistent challenges in the territory’s public schools, ranging from leadership bottlenecks and overcrowded classrooms to chronically strained counseling services and lagging academic performance. The report includes detailed findings and recommendations, arriving just as Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. heads to Washington, D.C., to discuss education funding and oversight with federal officials.

Titled “Turning the Tide: Reclaiming the Promise in Public Education,” the report paints a stark picture of systemic issues: administrative delays impacting special education referrals, insufficient funding support, overloaded counselors managing caseloads far beyond recommended levels, and standardized test results showing nearly 72% of fourth-graders on St. Thomas-St. John and 59% on St. Croix scored below proficiency in English Language Arts. In math, more than 80% of eighth and 11th graders across both districts also failed to meet standards. Though science scores showed slight improvement — eighth-grade proficiency on St. Croix rose from 27.1% to 37% — the data underscores deep learning gaps.

Against this backdrop, Bryan headed to Washington, D.C. Monday, meeting with officials, including U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. A key agenda item: advocating for restoring direct control over federal education funds and ending reliance on the current third‑party fiduciary system enforced by the U.S. Education Department.

“We are in D.C. trying to save Education money and get out from under the third‑party fiduciary,” Bryan wrote to the Source in an update. “The national Education Department makes it hard to spend money timely.” He added that he would share “more details on the process, and next steps after the meeting,” once discussions conclude.

The third‑party fiduciary requirement dates back to 2002, when federal officials placed the territory under a compliance agreement due to fiscal mismanagement. Since 2006, and most recently through a contract executed in December 2020 with McConnell & Jones LLC, the U.S. Education Department has mandated that grant funds — such as IDEA Part B and other federal education awards — be managed through an independent agent to ensure compliance with fiscal controls. The additional layer of approval has long been a point of contention for local leaders who say it delays disbursements and stifles efficiency.

In a telegram to federal officials in 2023, Deputy Assistant Secretary Kerry Neal reaffirmed that the territory “must have a third‑party fiduciary agent … to administer all Department grant funds … to ensure fiscal accountability.”

Meanwhile, the Board of Education’s accountability report offers comprehensive recommendations aimed at building internal capacity at all levels. School leaders are urged to take stronger ownership, set clear academic and behavioral goals, and engage families and community stakeholders before the start of the school year. Counselors, who currently serve more than four times the recommended student-to-counselor ratio, should be supported with additional staffing, such as psychologists or social workers, and relieved of non-counseling duties. Academic interventions for struggling readers and mathematicians must start early, with targeted professional development, curricular alignment, and community-based support efforts.

Discipline and behavioral health systems are also flagged. The report highlights the underutilized role of deans of students and the lack of robust data tracking for mental health and disciplinary interventions. Recommendations include empowering these roles, expanding restorative justice practices, and enhancing mental health supports within schools.

Classroom environments, too, require attention. The report warns of overcrowded, poorly lit or noisy rooms reliant on passive teaching methods, calling instead for smaller class sizes — capped at 15 in early grades and 25 in secondary school – more critical thinking-based instruction, and greater consistency in teacher certification and professional support.

Despite its catalog of shortcomings, the report notes positive signs: access to Advanced Placement, Career and Technical Education, and extracurricular programs such as STEM fairs and moot court. However, it stresses these advantages remain uneven and must be more broadly supported and replicated.

The report was officially submitted on June 15, 2025, fulfilling the annual requirement under Virgin Islands law. It closes with a clear directive: systemic reform will require collaboration, not just accountability. “Schools must be equipped and led in a manner that promotes equity, meaningful instruction, and consistent accountability,” it states. The Board calls on the Education Department, the Legislature, educators, unions, and community partners to act together.

From a deadly shooting in a packed St. Thomas parking lot to a child found bound in the rain on St. Croix, a string of violent crimes played out across the Virgin Islands last week, with court filings laying out what unfolded — and what officers found when they arrived.

In one of the more high-profile cases, police responded around 1:37 p.m. Saturday to reports of gunfire at the Fort Mylner KFC parking lot on St. Thomas, where they found 29-year-old Everton Glenroy Ralph Jr. — also known as “Flint” — unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a red Acura SUV. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the torso and chest.

While officers were processing the scene, 27-year-old Kemo Riley Jr. approached and identified himself as a friend of the victim. According to court documents, he told detectives he had just received a haircut from Ralph and, after hearing gunshots, walked over and looked through the windshield to find Ralph bleeding inside the vehicle.

But Riley’s actions quickly raised red flags. Surveillance footage showed him removing a gold chain and a black crossbody bag from the SUV before walking away. Officers later found both items in his possession; inside the bag was a Glock 9mm pistol with an extended magazine. Police also noted that Riley had blood on his hands and watched as he entered a nearby restaurant to wash them.

Riley was arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and destruction of evidence. He was scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing this week.

Two days earlier, police were called to Oswald Harris Court in connection with another homicide. According to court records, 28-year-old Shyiane Degallerie placed a 911 call around 2:49 a.m. Thursday, reporting that he had been in a car crash in the area. The dispatcher remained on the line and reported hearing an escalating argument laced with profanity, followed by multiple gunshots. The caller then went silent.

Degallerie was later found dead near Building 6 at Oswald Harris Court. His registered handgun was recovered at the scene. Surveillance footage reviewed by detectives showed a confrontation between two motorists, with one walking away and being chased by another man and a third person who had been sitting nearby.

On Saturday, police arrested 20-year-old Ajani Prentice in connection with the case. He was already in custody on another matter when detectives picked him up from the Red Hook dock. According to court documents, Prentice told officers he saw Degallerie chasing a relative with a gun and intervened. He has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm and is being held on $50,000 bail.

On St. Croix, a separate incident triggered concern after police responded to reports of a child being left outside in the rain at the Louis E. Brown Villas. Officers found a 12-year-old boy lying on a soaked mattress near Building 12. The child was completely nude, with one hand restrained to a column, according to court filings. Beside him were two bowls containing food and a roll of toilet paper.

Police knocked on the door of the apartment and spoke with 30-year-old Jessica Christian, who told them she had tied up her son because he had been defecating around the house and she could not control him. At one point, officers said Christian attempted to restrain him again. The boy and his 5-year-old sister were both removed from the home and placed in the custody of Human Services.

Christian was arrested and charged with child abuse, false imprisonment, and cruelty to an incompetent person. Her bail was set at $60,000.

All three cases are currently pending in Superior Court as investigations continue.

Tuesday, June 17 | 11:30 a.m.

Although operations appeared to normalize by Monday afternoon, VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said Tuesday morning the department is still managing staffing challenges. While contingency measures remain in place, he acknowledged that adjustments are ongoing to ensure adequate patrol and emergency coverage across the territory.

Monday, June 16 | 6 p.m.

The Virgin Islands Police Department confirmed that several officers reported sick on St. Thomas-St. John on Sunday – Father’s Day – forcing a shift in staffing during an already challenging stretch for the department. With some officers also out on military leave, the shortfall came as VIPD continues to respond to a series of high-profile violent crimes that have stretched resources across the territory.

In the days leading up to the shortage, police had responded to a string of serious incidents. On Wednesday, June 12, 28-year-old Shyiane Degallerie was shot and killed at Oswald Harris Court following what investigators said was a confrontation that began with a hit-and-run crash. Just two days later, on Saturday, June 14, officers were called to the Fort Mylner KFC parking lot, where 29-year-old Everton G. Ralph Jr. was found dead in the driver’s seat of an Acura after multiple shots were fired. That killing marked the territory’s 18th homicide of the year. These cases — and other violent episodes in recent weeks — have placed sustained pressure on patrol and investigative units across both districts.

To maintain coverage, VIPD activated its contingency protocols Sunday, reassigning officers from nonessential divisions to critical patrol and emergency response duties. Although the sudden spike in sick calls prompted public speculation of a possible “Blue Flu” sick-out, VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte confirmed that all officers had returned to duty by Monday and that operations had returned to normal. The department emphasized that public safety and community visibility remained intact throughout the temporary disruption.

Backed by a $10 million federal investment, the Virgin Islands Historic Building Recovery Program has already restored more than 45 hurricane-damaged historic buildings across the U.S. Virgin Islands, with dozens more projects in progress.

Following the widespread damage caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria, Congress and former President Biden appropriated $50 million through the Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund, which the National Park Service administers. The fund was created to support historic preservation efforts in FEMA-declared disaster zones.

Of the $50 million, just over $10 million was awarded to the Virgin Islands.

The VIHBRP is managed by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ State Historic Preservation Office. So far, the program has supported the rehabilitation of historic buildings all across the territory.

Traditionally, the Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund reimburses property owners after repairs are completed according to predetermined preservation standards. However, according to VISHPO Director and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Sean Krigger, most residents didn’t have the means to cover renovation costs while waiting for reimbursement.

“Most of the people that really got the major impacts — they just simply couldn’t afford to do the repairs on their own,” Krigger said. “We lobbied and worked with the National Park Service to get approval so that we could pay for repairs up front… once we achieved that approval, we were then able to make a positive impact in helping projects.”

After this adjustment, the $10 million awarded to the U.S. Virgin Islands from the fund was distributed into two government projects: the rehabilitation of Government House in Charlotte Amalie and the DPNR Submarine Base building, each receiving $1 million for rehabilitation. About $2 million supported staffing and administrative costs, and more than $7 million was directed toward historic building restoration and repair projects.

Projects have included roof and gutter repairs, structural reinforcements, historic shutter restorations, and repainting across many historic locations throughout Christiansted, Frederiksted, Cruz Bay, and Charlotte Amalie.

Krigger said the office hopes the program will result in lasting improvements throughout historic districts in the territory.

“What we are hoping to achieve with this project is that we will have a visual impact on our historic towns for improvements,” Krigger said. “We’re wanting to improve not just buildings, but streetscapes – bringing vitality back to our communities – and I’m happy to say that we’re getting that done.”

Krigger emphasized that the program’s success is due to collaboration between government agencies, contractors, and community partners.

“It’s a team effort,” Krigger said. “We are thankful for the support.”

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has officially commissioned the Hogensborg Solar Farm on St. Croix, the largest utility-scale solar project in the U.S. Virgin Islands, marking a major milestone in the territory’s shift toward renewable energy, the authority announced in a press release.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Friday, June 13, in Estate Hogensborg, WAPA leaders and local government officials celebrated the launch of the 48,210-panel facility, which can generate up to 22.4 megawatts of power. The solar farm features advanced battery storage systems, developed by Honeywell, designed to support the grid during outages and peak energy demand, according to the press release.

“This project is more than a milestone — it’s a movement,” said WAPA CEO Karl Knight. “Being able to rely more on indigenous sources of energy and less on costly imported fuels like diesel and propane marks a pivotal shift for WAPA and the Virgin Islands. This solar project demonstrates our dedication to building a cleaner, more reliable energy future — one that empowers our community and protects our environment for generations to come.”

The Hogensborg facility is the third solar installation on St. Croix and the fourth utility-scale renewable energy project WAPA has helped implement. It was developed by VIElectron and is owned by VIRAPC, the press release stated.

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. called the commissioning “real progress” in the territory’s clean energy push.

“This project moves us closer to a future where we can depend less on expensive, imported fuel and more on clean, local energy,” he said. “It also reflects our larger effort to transform the Water and Power Authority into a more modern and sustainable utility.”

WAPA officials say the Hogensborg project supports the territory’s Vision 2040 goal of achieving 75% renewable energy and aligns with the authority’s broader microgrid development strategy to enhance grid resilience, the release stated.

Building on the momentum, WAPA has begun development of the Fortuna Solar Farm on St. Thomas. That project, expected to be completed by late 2026, will include 94,440 panels and a 25-megawatt battery storage system designed to stabilize power for the St. Thomas-St. John district, it said.

A recording of the ribbon-cutting ceremony is available here.