Territory—s new School Construction bureau outlines $13.3M summer repair program and funding gaps

The Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance told the Senate Committee on Education and Workforce Development on June 17 that it has more than 130 summer repair projects planned across the territory and has spent or encumbered most of earlier appropriations, but gaps in ARPA and other funding threaten timely completion.

The bureau—s executive director, Craig Benjamin, told senators the bureau has 51 projects in the St. Thomas/St. John district (estimated $5.5 million) and over 80 projects on St. Croix (estimated $8.0 million). "Our summer repair schedule represents a vital investment in student and staff safety," Benjamin said, summarizing work that ranges from temporary roof repairs and electrical upgrades to HVAC, restroom and kitchen fixes.

Why it matters: Senators pressed bureau staff on whether school facilities will be ready for the August reopening. Committee members repeatedly flagged electrical upgrades required before AC work can be completed and questioned contingency plans after federal ARPA funds were reduced, delaying payment to contractors and risking work stoppages.

Key facts and funding: Benjamin and his finance staff said the bureau has received earlier legislative appropriations: Act 87-17 ($5.0 million, split $2.5M per district) and Act 89-18 ($7.0M, split $3.5M per district), for a $12.0M total received to date. A subsequent appropriation that had been $20M was reduced to $10M (act/bill referenced in testimony). The bureau reported ARPA allocations originally earmarked around $9.29M for generators and electrical work; as of the hearing it had encumbrances of about $6.6M territory-wide ($3.2M St. Croix, $3.4M St. Thomas/St. John). Benjamin said vendors have started work in some locations, and the bureau has $1.5M of the $12M not yet encumbered (he also reported about $2.5M expended and roughly $6.5M encumbered from that $12M).

What bureau says it—s doing: The bureau described walk-through inspections, an inspection appendix with site-specific status updates, and a draft 20-year maintenance plan it intends to present to the legislature. It reported launching a preventative and routine maintenance program (quarterly inspections, facility-condition tracking and an in-house maintenance task force) and said that some AC repairs are contingent on electrical upgrades.

Questions and concerns from senators: Senators pressed for clearer timelines and named responsible staff for oversight of contractors. Senator Carla Joseph asked about specific schools on St. John (Julius E. Spraouse and Joseph Gomez) and was told purchase orders/IFBs were out and notices to proceed had been issued for some projects but work had not always started; Jean Weeks and Yancey Milligan (school facilities managers) were identified as on-site monitors. Senators repeatedly raised the consequences of late federal funds: generators on-island may not be installed if payments are not released and contractors may be unpaid.

Selected bureau and district details (as stated on the record): Benjamin: "A total of 51 projects are active or planned for this summer across the St. Thomas/St. John District... total estimated cost of approximately $5,500,000." For St. Croix: "over 80 active projects... total estimate of approximately $8,000,000." On encumbrances (ARPA and other): "For the summer 2025 projects, the bureau has encumbrances totaling $6,600,000 territory-wide. Of this amount, dollars 3,200,000 has been encumbered for the St. Croix District and 3,400,000 for the St. Thomas/St. John District." Benjamin also said $10M appropriation (reduced from $20M) had not yet been received and must be requested.

Operations and staffing: The bureau described in-house maintenance staff supplemented by contractors and summer workers from Department of Labor programs. Several senators urged the bureau to expand workforce partnerships with local CTE / skill centers so certified HVAC and trades graduates can support work at lower cost and gain experience.

What remains unresolved: A number of specific projects (e.g., Clara Marco kitchen and Eulily Rivera kitchen on St. Croix) were discussed as partially complete or awaiting change orders or reissued contracts; some schools reported mold remediation or roofing problems that require contractor rebids. Multiple senators and board members urged clearer, district-by-district Gantt charts and monthly status reports showing start/completion dates, contractor names, and outstanding invoices. Senators also asked the bureau to confirm which schools will serve as community shelters and whether generators and microgrids will be ready.

Ending: Benjamin said the bureau will return to the committee with further documentation and called for more coordination across agencies. "With over $13,300,000 in improvements underway, our coordinated approach across agencies and contractors is designed to ensure we are prepared for the new school year," he said.

Sources and evidence: Committee hearing transcript, June 17, 2025; bureau presentations and appendices described in testimony.

Sections (editorial segmentation for newsroom use) Lede: The Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance told senators it has 130+ summer projects and $13.3M in improvements underway but warned that cutbacks to ARPA and late transfers could delay electrical and generator work needed for classrooms to open. Nut graf: The bureau said it prioritized life-safety projects — electrical upgrades, temporary roof repairs, plumbing and kitchen work — and has encumbered most earlier appropriations, but several contracts and ARPA-funded generator installations are at risk without timely federal or territorial payments. Ending: Senators asked for district-by-district schedules, clearer financial reporting and documentation of contractor payments; the bureau said it will return with additional documentation and revised timelines.