ST. CROIX — The V.I. Department of Education announced Sunday night that the John H. Woodson Jr. High School will not reopen until September 8, citing the need to complete critical repairs and confirm the safety of the campus before welcoming back students and staff.
The school did not open on August 13 with the rest of the territory’s public schools due to extensive summer maintenance projects. The Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance (BSCM) has since completed roof repairs and carried out mold remediation, with post-remediation testing now underway, VIDE said.
Air conditioning units are also being installed in classrooms and are expected to be finalized in the coming week. Until the Department receives the official results of mold testing and air quality assessments, VIDE said it will not reopen the campus. Officials noted that ensuring a safe learning and working environment for faculty, staff, and students is the top priority.
With September 1 observed as a holiday, VIDE released the proposed reopening schedule:
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Thursday, September 4, 2025 – Faculty, paraprofessionals, and staff report for classroom preparation, orientation planning, and coordination of documents.
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Friday, September 5, 2025 – Student orientation to provide guidance, distribute schedules, and answer questions before the start of school.
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Monday, September 8, 2025 – First official day of classes for all students.
The department stressed that this schedule is dependent on satisfactory mold testing and air quality results. “The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is at the heart of every decision we make,” the VIDE stated.
Acknowledging the inconvenience of the delay, VIDE thanked parents, guardians, students, and staff for their patience and support. “We understand the inconvenience and uncertainty this delay has caused, and we deeply appreciate the patience, understanding, and support of the John H. Woodson school community.”
The Department said it will continue to provide updates to the public as new information becomes available.
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