Government House announced today in a news release that the U.S. Department of Education has reinstated the extension on the liquidation period for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Education Stabilization Fund grants, restoring access to more than $34 million in vital federal funding for the Virgin Islands.
The decision comes after Governor Albert Bryan Jr. met with U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, where he raised concerns about the unintended impact of the department’s previous policy change and emphasized the importance of fairness and continuity in administering ARPA funds across all jurisdictions, the release stated.
The department’s original policy change had placed the territory at risk of losing tens of millions in ARPA funds needed to complete essential school modernization and safety projects, according to the release.
Bryan expressed, “I’m deeply grateful to Secretary McMahon and her team for their openness and willingness to work with us to find a practical solution. This outcome reflects the power of collaboration and continued dialogue between the federal government and the territories. It also underscores our shared commitment to ensuring every student has access to safe and modern learning environments.”
With the reinstated extension, the Virgin Islands Department of Education can now move forward with high-priority infrastructure projects. These include installing emergency backup generators, upgrading air conditioning systems, and improving school facilities to increase safety, resilience, and functionality, the release said.
Bryan credited the outcome to his administration’s ongoing federal engagement and the strong relationships his team has built with key congressional leaders and officials within the White House.
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