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Department of Education asks for $179.32 million for FY2026; cites staffing, utilities and ARP wind‑down as main pressures
Summary
Commissioner Dionne Wells Hedrington told the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance the Department of Education is seeking $179,316,999 for FY2026, an increase of roughly $8.6 million over FY2025 driven mainly by personnel and fringe adjustments and by costs returning to the general fund after American Rescue Plan Act funding e
The Virgin Islands Department of Education asked the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance on June 30 for a $179,316,999 general‑fund appropriation for fiscal year 2026, a 5% increase over the FY2025 approved total.
Commissioner Dionne Wells Hedrington summarized priorities the department said are essential to maintaining instruction and operations: salaries and benefits for roughly 1,954 full‑time equivalent positions, continued funding for food service and utilities, and the return of recurring costs previously supported by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) awards.
Budget snapshot: personnel is the largest line — $108.28 million (about 60% of the total) to cover classified and unclassified salaries and a series of lump‑sum payments linked to collective bargaining; fringe benefits are budgeted at $54.85…
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