U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — At the promotional exercise for Julius E. Sprauve School’s eighth-grade Class of 2023, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. praised the newly minted ninth-graders on Wednesday, saying they may be the first graduating class from a new school on St. John.
The Governor said he is preparing to send his proposed legislation for a land swap with the National Park Service (NPS) to build a public K-12 school on St. John for approval by the 35th Legislature.
“We are almost there and we have the plans being drawn,” Governor Bryan told the students. “This class may be able to graduate from St. John. You might be looking at the first graduating class from St. John in 2027.”
The Governor said the completion of the agreement with the NPS is just 60 days away and the Park Service will be ready to move forward by July 1.
The Governor said the Territory has been trying to find land for a school on St. John for 50 years and that today’s group of students would have a decidedly different commute from their predecessors.
“That will be the first time no one will have to catch the boat over to St. Thomas,” Governor Bryan said.
Speaking to a packed house at the St. John School of the Arts, Governor Bryan asked the students, parents and friends of the graduates for their support.
“I cannot do it all by myself. It is finally coming to a reality,” Governor Bryan said. “I need all of your prayers and your voices to speak to our legislators to make this happen for all of you once and for all.” The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov