Arthur Richards K-8 Will Merge With Other Schools for 2021-2022

ST. CROIX, USVI — Arthur A. Richards K-8 School will merge with Eulalie R. Rivera K-8 and John H. Woodson Jr. High schools for the 2021-2022 school year. The announcement came last week from St. Croix District Superintendent Carlos McGregor.

The merger is due to ongoing air-quality issues at the Arthur A Richards modular campus.

The school's modular units were constructed by AECOM, a firm hired by the Government of the Virgin Islands, following the 2017 storms. But the modular units have been plagued by a stench strong enough to make teachers and students ill. Some classes have been held outdoors to avoid the smell.

The Department of Education released a statement that they have been, "working closely with the original contractors hired to build the modular campus and other local agencies to resolve the issues." However, AECOM has previously stated that the odor is caused by poor maintenance of the air handling filters and that they should not be held responsible.

FEMA has provided funding to rebuild the Arthur A. Richards K-8 School on the grounds of the old Evelyn M. Williams Elementary School. The DOE expects construction to be complete in August 2024.

In the meantime, the school will be closed for the 2021-2022 school year. “It is clear that the occupancy of the Arthur Richards modular campus by our students, faculty and staff is potentially detrimental to their health,” McGregor said. “This plan will allow students and employees to settle into a healthy and safe school environment, while we continue to rectify the situation at the current campus.”

Here's how the merger will work for students:

• Arthur Richards’ students entering Kindergarten through 6th grades will attend Eulalie R. Rivera K-8 School.
• Arthur Richards’ students entering 7th and 8th grades will attend John. H. Woodson Jr. High School.
• Sixth graders from the Claude O. Markoe Elementary School who would normally attend Arthur A. Richards K-8 School for 7th grade in SY 2021-2022, will instead attend John H. Woodson Jr. High School.

Students will wear the uniform of their new school and bus transportation to and from school will be provided for all students.

Teachers, staff, and other employees from Arthur A. Richards will be dispersed to Eulalie Rivera and Woodson campuses, as well as other schools throughout the district.

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