♫♫ >>> GOOD DAY, AND WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS "MEET THE CANDIDATES" FORUM.

A PROGRAM PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH WTJX-TV FOR WELL OVER 35 YEARS.

IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS YOU, THE VOTING PUBLIC, WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.

WE INVITE YOU TO LOOK AT ALL OUR PROGRAMS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION YEAR RIGHT HERE ON WTJX-TV.

WITH CANDIDATES SEEKING OFFICE AS A SENATOR IN THE 36th LEGISLATURE, OR AS DELEGATES FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

FOR THE FIRST TIME ALSO WE ARE INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARDS OF ELECTION AND EDUCATION.

ALTHOUGH ALL THE CANDIDATES FOR THESE POSITIONS WERE INVITED, NOT ALL RESPONDED OR ACCEPTED THE INVITATION.

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE HERE TODAY THREE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR A POSITION ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE ST. THOMAS-ST. JOHN DISTRICT.

THIS SHOW WILL BE 30 MINUTES LONG.

I AM DR. FELICITA SALDAYYA RICHARDS, A MEMBER OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

I WILL SERVE AS MODERATOR FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF THE GUIDELINES OF THE PROGRAM.

NO CANDIDATE HAD ACCESS TO THE QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE.

THE FIRST RESPONDER FOR EACH QUESTION WILL BE ROTATED AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.

TIMING OF A QUESTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN ADVANCE.

ANY COMMENT DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY AT A PARTICIPANT BY ANOTHER PARTICIPANT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A REBUTTAL OF 60 SECONDS.

A 45-SECOND FOLLOWUP MAY BE ALLOWED.

ALL ARE EXPECTED TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE ELSE.

SO LET´S BEGIN.

I WILL ASK EACH CANDIDATE TO IDENTIFY WHO THEY ARE AND TO STATE THEIR POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND BALLOT NUMBER.

WE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH AS OUR DISCUSSION ENSUES.

LET´S START WITH CANDIDATE DR. KAISLER COLOWOOD.

STATE YOUR NAME, BUILT ON NUMBER, AND POLITICAL AFFILIATION -- BALLOT NUMBER, AND POLITICAL AFFILIATION.

>> A GOOD MORNING.

I´M A DEMOCRAT NUMBER THREE ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> NUMBER TWO?

>> GOOD DAY.

>> MS. ROSARIO.

>> GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS SOPHIA DELA ROSARIO.

I AM NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

AND I REPRESENT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> GOOD MORNING, AND GREETINGS.

I´M YOUR DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

I´M NUMBER TWO ON THE BALLOT.

>> SO LET US BEGIN WITH QUESTION NUMBER ONE.

DR. COLWOOD, WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SEEK ANOTHER TERM ON THE EDUCATION BOARD?

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS BOARD?

50 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION.

AGAIN, DR. KAISER A. COLWOOD, IF I BELIEVE IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT.

ONE OF THE ROLES OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF EDUCATION IS TO GUIDE POLICY DEVELOPMENT ACCORDING TO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS AND BE AN ADVOCATES FOR EDUCATION HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> MS. DEL ROSARIO.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO SEEK ANOTHER TERM ON THE EDUCATIONS BOARD?

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> GOOD MORNING AGAIN.

THE MOTIVATION THAT I HAVE IS TO HELPING THE COMMUNITY FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AS YOU CAN SEE AND IMPROVE OUR SYSTEM OVER -- FOR ALL THE COMMUNITY, EVEN IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH.

MY VOTE VACCINATION IS TO IMPROVE -- MOTIVATION IS TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THERESA KOONE?

>> YES.

I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT I´VE BEEN DOING.

MY GOAL IS TO PROMOTE EQUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW IN OUR HISTORY WE´RE AT A CRITICAL JUNCTURE IN TERMS OF PROMOTING OUR VI HISTORY AND CULTURE AND MAKING SURE THAT THAT DELIVERY IS ONE OF EXCELLENCE FOR STUDENTS.

I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE BEEN DOING THE WORK.

I´VE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR STUDENTS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT WORK.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

WE´LL MOVE ON TO QUESTION NUMBER TWO.

WE´LL BEGIN WITH MS. DE LA ROSARIO.

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS BOARD?

50 SECONDS.

>> I KNOW THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS TO SUPERVISE AND GUIDELINE MANY OF RULES AND AMENDMENT IN THE SCHOOL.

AND I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP ALL THE STUDENTS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

PLUS, THEY NEED TO REGULATE MANY RULES IN THE SYSTEM.

SO EDUCATION IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS MEANS MORE RULES, MORE AMENDMENTS, IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OVERALL IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>> THERESA KOONE, WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS BOARD?

50 SECONDS.

>> YEAH.

THERE ARE SEVERAL RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH YOU WILL FIND IN TITLE 17, PARTICULARLY SECTION 21, THAT TALKS ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF EDUCATION.

WE HAVE GENERAL OVERSIGHT OVER OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

WE ARE SUPPOSED TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE FOR EDUCATION, ADOPT COURSES OF CURRICULUM, CERTIFY TEACHERS, ADMINISTER SCHOLARSHIPS, DO ALL THINGS POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF POLICYMAKING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

AND SO WE HAVE BROAD OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY OVER THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND WE EXERCISE THIS OVERSIGHT THROUGH POLICIES, BEST PRACTICES TO GUIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> DR. COLWOOD?

50 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

AS PREVIOUSLY STATED, THE TITLE IN TERMS OF REQUIREMENTS.

OVER THE YEARS THAT REQUIREMENT HAS CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY.

ONE OF THOSE THAT´S RECENTLY HAPPENED AT 8717 OF COURSE HAS ASETTLEMENTS OF CURRICULUM AND LEARNING IN CLASSROOMS.

CURRENTLY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS DOING THAT.

WE ALSO ADMINISTER SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OUR STUDENTS, GRADUATES STUDENTS, IN-SERVICE GRANTS FOR STUDENTS.

WE ALSO DEAL WITH TEACHER CERTIFICATION, ONE OF THE CRITICAL AREAS IN THE COMMUNITY.

MANY TEACHERS ARE NOT CERTIFIED, AND THE BOARD HAS WORKED A REMARKABLE PATS ATTORNEY ENSURE THAT -- PATTERN TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN CERTIFY TEACHERS.

THE GENERAL GUIDANCE OF EDUCATION IN TERMS OF POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ANYTHING POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT EDUCATION RUNS SMOOTHLY HERE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU.

WE´LL MOVE TO THE NEXT QUESTION.

AND WE´LL BEGIN WITH THERESA KOONE FOR THIS QUESTION.

WHAT TALENTS OR SKILLS DID YOU BRING TO THE BOARD DURING YOUR TENURE, AND HOW WERE THEY DEMONSTRATED IN WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISHED ON THE BOARD?

60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU.

I HAVE OVER 14 YEARS OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.

I WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS A PROFESSOR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE WHERE I BUILT THE PROGRAM FROM THE GROUND UP.

I ALSO HAVE NOW 30 YEARS OF LEGAL EXPERTISE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

WHAT I HAVE DONE AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE CERTAIN POLICIES, I MAKE SURE I LOOK AT THE LAW, I USE MY EXPERTISE IN THIS BACKGROUND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE FIRM POLICIES, THAT WE USE BEST PRACTICES IN TERMS OF GUIDING OUR POLICIES.

I HAVE ALSO WORKED IN REVAMPING THE CERTIFICATION POLICY WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND I HAVE ALSO USED THAT TO COLLABORATE WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IN DEVELOPING A STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WHERE OUR STUDENTS NOW IN THE LAST YEAR AT THE UNIVERSITY MAY WORK AS A TEACHER OF RECORD WITHIN OUR SYSTEM.

THIS IS SOMETHING TO HELP COMBAT THE TEACHER SHORTAGE THAT WE´RE EXPERIENCING NOW AND NATIONWIDE.

AND IT IS THE FIRST OF ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE DEVELOPED.

>> THANK YOU.

DR. COLWOOD, WHAT TALENTS OR SKILLS DID YOU BRING TO THE BOARD DURING YOUR TENURE, AND HOW WOULD IT -- WAS IT DEMONSTRATED IN WHAT YOU ACCOMPLISHED?

60 SECONDS.

>> DO I HAVE SKILLS UNDER MY BELT -- RESEARCH, STRATEGIC VISION, LEADERSHIP, COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION.

IN MY ROLE I HAVE SERVED AS A TEACHER HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM FIRST GRADE, SEVEN AND EIGHT, NINE THROUGH 12 AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

ALSO AT THE UNIVERSITY LEVEL IN THE BUSINESS AREA.

AND OF COURSE I ALSO TEACH LEADERSHIP AND POLICY.

ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF EDUCATION I´VE UTILIZED MY SKILLS TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY ENSURING THAT WE ADHERE TO MANY OF THE LAWS AND RULES THAT GUIDE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

OF COURSE OUR SCHOOL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT, BEING A PART OF THAT FOR FOUR WONDERFUL YEARS.

HAVING TO BE ABLE TO TESTIFY IN A LEGISLATURE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BUDGET THAT GUIDES THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ENSURING THAT WE HAD THE FIRST-EVER STRATEGIC PLAN AT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

SO I UTILIZED MY SKILLS, WORKED WITH THE VARIOUS MEMBERS ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BECAUSE NOT ONE PERSON CAN MAKE ANY CHANGE.

HOWEVER, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER AND ENSURE THAT THE GUIDANCE OF THE BOARD AND THE LAWS THAT GUIDE THE BOARD LEADS US HERE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> MS. ROSARIO, WHAT TALENTS OR SKILLS WILL YOU BRING TO THE BOARD, AND HOW HAVE THEY BEEN DEVELOPED OR DEMONSTRATED IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE?

60 SECONDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME.

I SAY THIS -- I AM NOT PART OF THE BOARD LIKE MY COLLEAGUES AT THIS TABLE.

WHAT I KNOW I CAN IMPROVE THE EDUCATION THROUGH MY KNOWLEDGE.

I AM AN EDUCATOR FOR 14 YEARS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, WITH LICENSE.

I´M A COSMETOLOGY LICENSE, AND I IMPROVE AND BRING SO MANY SKILLS, MANY YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE -- OUR SCHOOLS WHEN THEY COME INTO MY PRIVATE SCHOOL, THEY GET -- AND THEY RECEIVE ACKNOWLEDGE.

SOME OF THEM RECEIVE MORE ACKNOWLEDGE THAN THEY RECEIVE IN THE SCHOOL RIGHT NOW.

SO FAR, EVEN THE ECONOMY FROM THE VIRGIN ISLANDS GROW A LOT BECAUSE I TRY TO HELP TO BRING MORE INTELLIGENT AND YOUNG PEOPLE IMPROVE THE SKILL AND GET JOBS BY THEMSELVES.

>> THANK YOU.

NEXT QUESTION.

HOW IS THE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION DIFFERENT FROM MAINLAND BOARDS?

WE´LL START WITH DR. COLWOOD.

YOU HAVE 50 SECONDS.

>> SO THAT´S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

ON THE VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF EDUCATION, WE MORE DEAL WITH POLICY DEVELOPMENT.

THE MAINLAND BOARD, OF COURSE, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT, BE A PART OF THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION THAT GOES ON IN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS, AND CAN MAKE CHANGES THAT´S CRITICAL.

NOT AS A THIRD PARTY, BUT REALLY AT THE FIRST -- THE FOREFRONT WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT TO ENSURE WE HOLD EVERYONE ACCOUNTABLE, THE DISTRICT STAFF, TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, ALL THE GAMUT OF INDIVIDUALS.

SO THAT´S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LOCAL BOARD JUST DOING POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP WORK AND THE NATIONAL BOARD.

CAN REALLY HIT GROUND RUNNING TO MAKE THE CHANGES NECESSARY FOR EDUCATION, OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> THANK YOU.

MISS ROSARIO, 50 SECOND.

>> COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION, PLEASE?

>> HOW IS THE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION DIFFERENT FROM MAINLAND BOARDS?

>> WHAT I CAN SEE THROUGH THE YEARS FROM 2017 IS OUR EDUCATION DROPPED OUT.

WHY?

BECAUSE THE STUDENTS FROM THAT TIME DON´T RECEIVE ENOUGH LEARNING ASSIGNMENTS WHEN THERE WERE NOT AS MANY -- DIVIDED, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM 2017, THEY ARE NOT RECEIVE -- THEY ARE NOT LEARNING THE ASSIGNMENT TO RECEIVE TRUE EDUCATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WHAT WE CAN SEE IS THE EDUCATION THAT WE HAVE -- >> COMPLETE YOUR SENTENCE.

>> THE EDUCATION THAT WE HAVE FROM THAT TIME IS NOT ENOUGH FOR OUR STUDENTS TO GET A PROPER KNOWLEDGE.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW TERESA KOONES.

>> THE DIFFERENCE IS WE DO NOT HAVE GOVERNANCE OVER THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

SO THAT MEANS THAT WE DO NOT RUN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.

WE DO NOT HIRE THE SUPERINTENDENTS LIKE THEY DO ON THE MAINLAND.

AND THEY RUN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF THE SCHOOL.

OUR BOARD HAS BEEN RELEGATED TO BE A POLICYMAKING BOARD AND TO DO CERTAIN THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO STATUTORILY SUCH AS ADMINISTER SCHOLARSHIPS, CERTIFY TEACHERS, AND TO MAKE POLICIES FOR THE OVERALL PROPER RUNNING OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN SO FROM THE TIME THAT WE HAVE HAD GOVERNOR GENERALS THAT WERE SENT TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

AND SO WITHIN THE RECENT YEARS THAT WE HAVE STARTED ELECTING GOVERNORS, THAT HAS NOT CHANGED.

IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE BOARD TO HAVE MORE GOVERNANCE OVER THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM SO THAT IT´S NOT FULLY TOTALLY POLITICIZED THE WAY THAT IT IS NOW.

PRESENTLY THE COMMISSIONER, THE SUPERINTENDENTS, AND ALL THE PERSONNEL FOR THE DEPARTMENT ARE HIRED BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND BY THE GOVERNOR.

>> SO THIS NEXT QUESTION IS SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.

ARE THERE ANY RESPONSIBILITIES FOUND IN MAINLAND BOARDS OF EDUCATION THAT YOU WISH THE LOCAL BOARDS COULD HAVE?

50 SECONDS.

WE WILL START WITH NUMBER TWO, MRS. DE LA ROSARIO.

>> WHAT I CAN SAY, MANY THINGS CHANGE, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND THE PRACTICE OF THE EDUCATION IS NECESSARY TO CHANGE.

SO ON BEHALF OF THAT, WHAT I SAY IS THE EDUCATION THAT WE RECEIVE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS NOT COMPARED WITH EDUCATION THAT IS IN ANOTHER STATE.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO IMPROVE MORE IN OUR EDUCATION AND COLLABORATE TOGETHER TO GET BETTER FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> ATTORNEY SAKU?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE TO SEE AND WE COULD DO THIS IN INCREMENTS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DOES SELECT THE SUPERINTENDENT.

BECAUSE THE SUPERINTENDENT IS A PERSON THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE DO HAVE IN THE MAINLAND IS THE FACT THAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED BY THE PROPERTY TAXES.

SO YOU SEE IN COMMUNITIES WHERE YOU HAVE AFFLUENCE, YOU SEE YOU HAVE BETTER SCHOOLS AND SO FORTH.

OUR SCHOOLS HERE ARE FUNDED BY THE GENERAL FUND.

AND SO WHATEVER MONEY THAT GOES INTO THE COFFERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS IS WHAT IS USED TO FUND OUR SCHOOLS, AND WE ALSO RECEIVE SOME FEDERAL FUNDING.

I BELIEVE IF THE BOARD HAS MORE AUTHORITY OVER HIRING THE SUPERINTENDENT, THEN THAT WILL LEAD TO GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND I THINK THAT´S ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT TO OUR COMMUNITY IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> THANK YOU.

DR. COLWOOD?

>> SO I WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARD ALWAYS HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND NOT ALWAYS BE SECOND RATE IN TERMS OF DECISIONS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, THEN THE SEABOARD BLAMED BECAUSE WE´RE NOT DIRECTLY AT A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

IN FACT, GIVEN THE BOARD THE AUTHORITY TO HIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT, THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT, BE A PART IN TERMS OF SELECTION OF PRINCIPALS AND DIFFERENT SCHOOLS TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO GUIDE EDUCATION HERE IN THIS TERRITORY.

SO WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WHATEVER IS HAPPENING, ESPECIALLY NATIONAL BOARD, HERE THEY CAN TRANSLATE TO LOCAL BOARD.

I DO AGREE THAT IT HAS TO GO IN BABY STEPS, IT CAN´T BE SO DRASTIC BECAUSE WE´RE NOT ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO CHANGE.

HIRING A SUPERINTENDENT, BEING A PART OF THE TABLE SO WE CAN BE TRULY HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR EDUCATION HERE IN OUR VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY.

>> SO THERE ARE TWO MORE QUESTIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO GET ON BOARD FOR YOU ALL.

AND THEY RELATE TO WHAT NEW POLICIES ARE IN PLACE REGARDING SEXUAL ABUSE OF STUDENTS, AND DR. COLWOOD, IF YOU DON´T MIND IF I COULD START WITH YOU BECAUSE I BELIEVE WE MAY HAVE ROTATED PUTTING YOU IN A DIFFERENT ORDER BEFORE.

SO WHAT NEW POLICIES ARE IN PLACE REGARDING SEXUAL ABUSE OF STUDENTS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

SO WE ARE GUIDED ACTUALLY BY THE VIRGIN ISLANDS CODE THAT HAS POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN PLACE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WHERE THEY HAVE THE OVERSIGHT TO DEAL WITH THOSE TYPE THINGS ON A SCHOOL LEVEL.

WE HAVE POLICIES MAYBE THE DISCIPLINE POLICY, THOSE VARIOUS POLICY, BUT NOT SPECIFIC TO SEXUAL ABUSE.

IT´S A WHOLE GAMUT IN TERMS OF CYBERBULLYING.

OTHER THINGS THAT STUDENTS ARE FACED WITH, WE HAVE POLICIES THAT GUIDE THAT.

CURRENTLY THE BOARD IS WORKING ON UPDATING SOME OF THOSE POLICIES, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO A DISCIPLINE POLICY, TO HAVE DIFFERENCE THINGS IN TERMS OF PRACTICES AND PRINCIPLES TO BE ABLE TO HELP STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND OUR EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATORS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES ENSURING THAT THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANY ACTIONS, AND THEN OF COURSE ANY DECISIONS OR ANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT PRESENTS THAT´S WE NEED ASSISTANCE THAT WE LOOK TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO PROVIDE THAT ASSISTANCE AS WE GO FORWARD IN HELPING TO RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM RELATIVE TO SEXUAL ABUSE AND ANYTHING THAT AFFECTS OUR STUDENTS.

>> MRS. DE LA ROSARIO.

>> THAT´S A GOOD QUESTION BECAUSE ONE MORE TIME, I WILL REPEAT, I HAVE 14 YEARS AND IN CASE OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

SOME OF THEM COME IN BECAUSE THEY TRUST ME.

THEY COME IN TO SAY AND TELL ME WHAT´S GOING ON IN DIFFERENT SCHOOLS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

SO I SAY THIS -- IF YOU HAVE THOSE PROBLEMS IN THE SCHOOLS, WHY WE ARE NOT SOLVING THE PROBLEMS?

WE ARE PROBLEM-SOLVING.

WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO ON OUR SCHOOLS.

I SAY THIS -- IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING HAPPENED, WHY WE ARE NOT STOPPED -- NEGATIVELY SOLVE THAT PROBLEM?

WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

WE´RE NOT BLIND.

SO WE NEED TO DO RULES, REGULATE THOSE THINGS.

>> THERESA KOONE, POLICY?

>> YES, AS PORTEND TO THAT, WE HAVE RECENTLY -- I WORK AT THE LEGISLATURE OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AS ASSISTANT COUNSEL, SO WE HAVE -- IT PERTAINS TO CHILD ABUSE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO REPORTING AND, YOU KNOW, THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT EDUCATORS AND SO FORTH MAY HAVE.

BESIDES THAT, THOUGH, EMBEDDED IN SOME OF OUR POLICIES SUCH AS STUDENT DISCIPLINE POLICY, OUR TECHNOLOGY, THE LEARNING POLICY, WE TOO HAVE LANGUAGE IN THERE AS IT PERTAINS TO APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND ADDRESSES THESE TYPES OF CONCERNS.

AND CURRENTLY AS PART OF THE CERTIFICATION POLICY, WE ARE WORKING ON A CODE OF ETHICS WHICH ALSO ADDRESSES THESE MODELS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BECAUSE IT´S NOT ONLY THE ABUSE IS WHERE IT BECOMES SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY OFFENSIVE.

BUT OUR POLICY WILL ADDRESS INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS, INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE AND SO FORTH IN A CODE OF ETHICS.

THANK YOU.

>> NOW, EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT TO TELL VOTERS WHY THEY ARE A CHOICE CANDIDATE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

STARTING WITH MRS. DE LA ROSARIO.

>> THANK YOU ONE MORE TIME FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I JUST WANT TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IMPROVE OUR EDUCATION THROUGH NEW TECHNOLOGY, NEW METHODS, BECAUSE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED.

NEW METHODS FOR NEW INTELLIGENCE, AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SUPPORT MY CANDIDATE BECAUSE I KNOW TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE.

I AM NUMBER ONE ON THE BALLOT.

I REPRESENT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

BUT IT´S NOT ONLY THAT, WHAT I WANT TO SAY, AND I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY IS DON´T PROMISE WHAT YOU CANNOT PROMISE.

THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN THIS NEW GENERATION, A NEW 2024 CAMPAIGN.

THIS IS WHAT WE´VE GOT DO -- CHANGE.

THANK YOU.

>> TO YOU.

>> GREETINGS.

I´M MANDY SEKU, I AM YOUR DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

I WANT TO FIRST THANK YOU FOR YOUR OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN THE PRIMARY, AND I ASK YOU HUMBLY AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND VOTE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

I BELIEVE IT´S IMPORTANT TO SELECT PERSONS WITH KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND COMMON SENSE TO SIT ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THIS WILL BE MY FOURTH TERM.

AND I AM ASKING YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I NEED TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT I´VE STARTED, I ALSO KNOW THAT I HAVE BEEN DOING VERY GOOD WORK FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

THIS TIME WE´RE AT A CONSIDERATION JUNCTURE -- CRITICAL JUNCTURE WHERE WE HAVE HAVING A HYBRID ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS CAN LEARN PARTLY IN PERSON AND ON LINE.

AND SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO ELECT PERSONS WHO HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND COMPETENCE TO CARRY OUT THE MANDATES OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> DR. COLWOOD?

>> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

I´M DR. KAISER A. COLWOOD, I AM ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE AND SUPPORT FOR ME AS AN ADVOCATE OF EDUCATION IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO ENSURE THAT OUR CHILDREN, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND THE ENTIRE VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMUNITY GET WHAT THEY DESERVE IN TERMS OF EDUCATION.

SO WITH YOUR VOTE, I CANNOT SETTLE FOR LESS, BUT ONLY MY ABSOLUTE BEST.

AGAIN, DR. KAISER A. COLWOOD, DEMOCRAT, BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU, CANDIDATES AND VIEWERS, AND THANK YOU WTJX-TV AND STAFF FOR TODAY´S PROGRAM.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HOPES THIS PROGRAM HAS HELPED WITH YOU, THE VOTER, IN KNOWING THE CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND IN SO DOING INFORMS YOUR VOTE FOR NOVEMBER.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I AM DR. FELECTA SAL DANYA FOR THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS VIRGIN ISLANDS SAYING VOTE EARLY OR VOTE ON ELECTION DAY, JUST VOTE.

♫♫ ♫♫