Date: February 3, 2005
Contact: Angela Johnson
Phone: 340-773-6449
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MEETS WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO FOLLOW UP ON PROGRESS
AT ADDELITA CANCRYN JR. HIGH
Lieutenant Governor Vargrave Richards today met with stakeholders at
Addelita Cancryn Junior High School to follow up on the status of repairs
at the physical plant and address concerns about the procurement of
books to replace those that were destroyed by fire.
“As I assured the faculty, staff, students and parents of Addelita
Cancryn Junior High on Jan. 20th, I am keeping tabs on the progress
of work at their school to ensure that goals are realized,” Lieutenant
Governor Richards said after taking a firsthand tour of the facility.
This morning, the Lieutenant Governor toured the Cancryn campus accompanied
by School Principal Yvonne Pilgrim, American Federation of Teachers
Building Representative Leba Ola-Niyi, and Louis Hughes, Director of
Maintenance for the V.I. Department of Education. As they walked, the
Lieutenant Governor took note of roof repairs and condition of the grounds.
“I am extremely pleased with the level of work that has been completed
to date,” Lieutenant Governor Richards said.
In response to questions from personnel regarding the provision of
school books, the Lieutenant Governor expressed his sense of urgency
and has received assurances that Addelita Cancryn’s claim will
be processed expeditiously. The Lieutenant Governor indicated that he
has met with insurance adjusters and conveyed his displeasure with the
amount of time it has taken to deliver money for the purchase of books
lost in the fire.
“The adjusters assured me that they have given the principal
the go-ahead for the procurement of those books,” Lieutenant Governor
Richards said. “It is critical that the books and supplies be
purchased immediately in order that the students may carry on with their
education.”
Additionally, Lieutenant Governor Richards noted that an architect
is presently working on drawings for the reconstruction of Cancryn’s
fire-damaged wing and should complete them shortly.
The Lieutenant Governor thanked Education Commissioner Noreen Michael
for her prompt response as well as Commissioner Wayne Callwood of Public
Works and Commissioner Marc Biggs of Property and Procurement for their
immediate attention to the Addelita Cancryn Junior High.
“I especially thank Mr. Hughes, who has been at the campus every
day since my meeting with them last month, and he has done a yoeman’s
job ensuring that general maintenance is done,” Lieutenant Governor
Richards said. “I am pleased to date with the quantity and quality
of work and the fulfillment of short-term goals. We continue to strive
to address the long-term goals, and it is our aim to sustain the general
upkeep of the physical plant.”
