The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA) wishes to clarify recent statements made by Dr. Kyza Callwood, Chair of the Virgin Islands Board of Education (VIBE), during VIBE’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget hearing before the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance of the 36th Legislature of the Virgin Islands on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
Dr. Callwood asserted that beneficiaries of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission (VIEDC) program are delinquent in paying annual fees to the Territorial Scholarship Fund, and that VIEDA is responsible for ensuring those payments are made. We appreciate Dr. Callwood’s commitment to securing educational resources for our students, and we welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively with VIBE to support this important initiative. However, clarification of responsibilities and facts is necessary for the public record.
Scholarship Fund Contributions
Depending on the type of business, some VIEDC beneficiaries are required to contribute a minimum of $3,000 annually and some are required to contribute a minimum of $10,000 annually to the Virgin Islands Board of Education, to be placed in the Territorial Scholarship Fund.
VIEDA strongly supports its beneficiaries’ commitment to the Board of Education. However, the statutory responsibility for collecting and tracking these payments rests squarely with the Virgin Islands Board of Education, and the law stipulates that VIBE must submit an annual report to VIEDA, within 60 days after the close of each calendar year, listing:
- Each beneficiary’s name,
- The amount contributed, and
- The use of funds.
This report is essential for VIEDA to perform its oversight role and follow up with beneficiaries as necessary.
During his testimony, Dr. Callwood cited concerns about beneficiaries who have “still, or consistently” failed to contribute to the Territorial Scholarship Fund for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. However, the most recent reports submitted by VIBE to VIEDA covered Calendar Year (CY) 2022 (received August 1, 2024) and CY 2023 (received March 13, 2024). To date, VIEDA has not received the required report for CY 2024, which is necessary for us to investigate any instances of noncompliance. Reporting for CY 2025 is not yet due, as the year is still in progress.
Moving Forward Together
VIEDA remains fully committed to helping ensure that all beneficiaries meet their obligations under the law, including contributions to the Territorial Scholarship Fund. We view our collaboration with VIBE as a mutually beneficial relationship that supports the education and workforce development of young Virgin Islanders. In that spirit, we look forward to receiving the required annual reports from the Board of Education in a timely manner so that appropriate follow-up actions can be taken where necessary.
We welcome continued dialogue with Dr. Callwood and his team and reaffirm our shared commitment to building a stronger future for the Territory through accountability, partnership, and the continued success of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission program.
St. Croix Source
Legislature Corner, Local government
