$825,000 School AC Project Under Fire for Alleged Overpriced Repairs and Extended Timelines

One lawmaker has raised concerns over the costs reportedly associated with some school rehabilitation projects. During a wide-ranging discussion before the Committee on Education and Workforce Development, Senator Kenneth Gittens grilled education officials on “accountability with our monies.”

“While I have fairly good confidence in the leadership of the Education Department, I don't have the same confidence with our contractors,” declared Senator Gittens on Monday. Student protests that took place in the previous school term prompted him to “look into a couple of things,” the senator disclosed, saying that his findings concerned him. His investigations led him to question the commissioner of education and her team on ongoing work being carried out by Custom Builders VI.

Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedringtom confirmed that the company had been contracted to install air conditioning at the St. Croix Educational Complex High School and also to complete rehabilitation work at the Gladys A Abraham Elementary School on St. Thomas. Acting Chief Operations Office Alan Fleming told Mr. Gittens that work at the St. Croix Educational Complex was “substantially completed” and in the “closeout process”, but the lawmaker was more interested in discussing how much was being charged for the work done.

“For the removal and replacement of an existing 36-inch door, we're paying in excess of $4,000,” Mr. Gittens declared, asking education officials “why is this?” He also queried why removing and replacing a ceiling fan reportedly cost $18,000.