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VIDE details staffing, certification gaps and special‑education backlog as schools reopen
Summary
The Department of Education told the committee it faces teacher certification shortfalls, ongoing recruitment challenges, and a special‑education evaluation backlog that the department is attempting to address with contracted teams and weekly check‑ins.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) reported to the Committee on Education and Workforce Development on Aug. 29 that staffing, teacher certification and a backlog of special‑education evaluations remain priorities as the 2025–26 school year begins.
Commissioner Dion Wells Hedrington told senators the department currently employs 2,022 people territorywide and reported recent separations, retirements and vacancies. The department presented a breakdown of hires and vacancies: for the start of the year, the department said it had hired 34 employees territorywide (14 teachers) in one district and 31 hires (10 teachers) in the other district.
VIDE also reported the number of uncertified teachers by district: 208 teachers without full certification in the Saint Thomas–Saint…
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