New Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance seeks $5.75M from capital fund, warns of legacy maintenance gaps

The Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance, the territory’s new agency created by Act 87‑17 and active since Oct. 1, 2024, made its first budget presentation to the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on Aug. 19.

Dr. Charmaine Myers, the bureau’s chief financial officer (presenting on behalf of Executive Director Craig Benjamin, who had surgery), told senators BSCM has established core operations in its first 10 months and asked the Legislature to appropriate $5,747,746.52 from the School Construction Capital Fund for routine school maintenance and non‑school facility capital projects in FY2026. The bureau also described an operating budget recommendation and a request for additional maintenance workers.

Budget request and priorities BSCM told the committee it needs operating funds for personnel and fringe, plus capital outlay for vehicles and warehouse build‑outs. The FY2026 request to the capital fund totals $5,747,746.52 and the bureau broke that sum down as roughly $1,000,989.57 for routine maintenance in St. Thomas/St. John, $2,273,181.51 for routine maintenance in St. Croix, and $1,485,000 for capital work at non‑school facilities (for example, roof replacement and remediation at administrative annexes, school…