Virgin Islands lawmakers on Wednesday reviewed a series of education bills shaping daily routines and early learning opportunities in public schools.
The proposals, which included a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and a Virgin Islands motto, lowering the compulsory kindergarten age from five to four, and instituting a daily morning exercise routine, were all ultimately held in committee.
Bill 36-0067
Virgin Islands lawmakers paused consideration of Bill 36-0067 Wednesday, tabling a proposal that would have required students in public schools to begin every morning by standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and a Virgin Islands’ specific motto. The Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee voted to hold the bill after a debate on civic unity, students’ constitutional rights, and how to implement such routines.
Introduced by Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger, the bill proposed amending Title 17 of the Virgin Islands Code to require that, at the start of each school day, students recite both the Pledge of Allegiance, a practice common across the United States, and a Virgin Islands’ specific motto: “Let love, honor and respect guide our way. Always be mindful of what we think, do or say. Be kind to all others, no matter great or small. United, we stand, one Virgin Islands, proud and tall.”
Heyliger said the proposal was designed to instill a sense of unity and respect among the territory’s students. She explained that a brief, daily recitation could encourage students to embody the values of mindfulness and community responsibility, helping set a positive tone at the start of each school day.
Education leaders and lawmakers voiced significant opposition to the measure, citing a mix of legal, procedural, and practical concerns. Abigail Hendricks-Cagan, St. John at-large member of the Board of Education, argued that classroom rituals should be shaped by educators, not mandated by legislation. “Matters of daily classroom activity should be guided by school policy and educational practice, not legislative mandate. We must respectfully oppose the bill as drafted.”
One key issue involved was the motto itself, which has not yet been formally approved or adopted by the community through public process. Opponents also questioned whether adding new statutory requirements would place an unnecessary burden on teachers and school administrators, especially with significant variation in current practices. Officials called for broader public input and a thorough review to ensure any changes reflect community values.
Lawmakers and education officials pointed out that mandating daily recitation, even with an opt-out clause, could infringe on freedoms of speech and religion protected by the U.S. Constitution. Senators cited the landmark 1943 Supreme Court case West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, which held that students cannot be compelled to salute the flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
“My biggest concern is … the violation of the constitutional amendments … the First Amendment and the 14th Amendment,” Sen. Marise C. James said during deliberations. Others worried that, despite opt-out provisions, students might still face pressure or stigma for not participating, exposing the schools to legal challenges.
These constitutional objections, coupled with doubts about formally adopting the motto, were repeatedly cited by education officials and lawmakers as factors in the committee’s unanimous decision to shelve the bill for further review.
Bill 36-0069
Virgin Islands lawmakers also debated Bill 36-0069, a proposal before the Senate Education and Workforce Development Committee to amend Title 17 of the Virgin Islands Code and lower the compulsory kindergarten age from five to four.
Heyliger, the sponsor of the bill, described the measure as a bold step to “give children an earlier option to education” and to align the territory with national and international early learning trends. Earlier entry, she argued, could improve readiness and long-term achievement compared to peers both locally and abroad.
Although intended to expand educational opportunities, the bill drew widespread opposition from testifiers, who cautioned that it could destabilize existing early childhood programs, overwhelm public schools, and threaten essential federal funding.
Hendricks-Cagan warned, “Not every four-year-old is ready for the social, emotional, and academic demands of kindergarten.” Nicole Craigwell-Syms, assistant commissioner of the V.I. Health Department reinforced this, calling age five “a benchmark grounded in decades of research in child development, public health, and education.”
Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington agreed, noting, “Starting kindergarten at four years old is possible, though often younger children benefit from a later start to develop social and emotional maturity, which are crucial for academic success.”
Particular alarm came from the Human Services Department, where Assistant Commissioner Carla Benjamin cautioned that the change could devastate the territory’s Head Start program, a federally funded early childhood education program serving children ages three to five. “Head Start funding is directly tied to our funded enrollment … we would lose more than half of our enrollment, which would definitely make us chronically under-enrolled, and we would essentially lose Head Start funding,” Benjamin said. The loss could exceed $10 million and threaten about 180 local jobs.
Lawmakers and education officials also pointed to teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and the territory’s aging, sometimes failing school infrastructure. Persistent problems like mold and unreliable air conditioning continue to plague some campuses. As Sen. Avery L. Lewis said, “I don’t think that the Department of Education has the facility to accept these children … We have mold issues. We have air conditioning issues … we just don’t have the capability.”
Beyond the classroom squeeze, officials warned that many Virgin Islands children already face hurdles to healthy development. Fewer than half of children ages three to five receive timely developmental screenings, and more than 20% are classified as overweight or obese. Officials noted that pre-K and Head Start programs help fill these critical gaps by providing early assessments and health interventions.
Throughout the hearing, officials called instead for investment in early childhood and pre-K programs, and cautioned against lowering the kindergarten age and risking the territory’s educational and financial footing. Craigwell-Syms summarized, “This is about giving our children the strongest possible start. By keeping kindergarten entry at five years old and expanding early childhood support, we can work together to build a healthier, more successful future for our young people.”
The bill was unanimously held in committee.
Bill 36-0080
After extensive debate on the first two measures, lawmakers took up Bill 36-0080, which would mandate a daily morning exercise routine across the Virgin Islands’ public schools. The committee quickly and unanimously held this bill for further revisions.
Heyliger, sponsor of the legislation, reflected on her broader efforts by saying, “If you notice, the three pieces of legislation I’ve attempted to bring today all have to do with our children, education, and well-being … The intent, again, is for the best well-being of our children.”
“I really appreciate everyone today and my colleagues for our dialogue, and I think today was a very productive day, and I’m walking away with a wealth of information to further develop these pieces of legislation to benefit the children of our territory,” she added.
St. Croix Source
Local news
