Education: Deadline for input on child abuse and neglect policy is Friday

The Education Department announced Wednesday that its Internal Audit Division seeks public feedback on its newly drafted Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.

Residents, however, have roughly two days to review the proposed policy as the deadline to submit comments is Friday, according to a statement released by the office of Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington shortly after noon on Wednesday. “The draft policy is designed to establish a uniform process for reporting any suspicions of abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect by mandatory reporters within VIDE. This includes prompt reporting to the appropriate authorities, maintaining accurate records, and collaborating with other Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) agencies. The policy aims to standardize VIDE’s approach to safeguarding and supporting the well-being of children across the Territory,” Education said in the statement released with yellow highlights of Friday’s deadline date.

The policy, the statement noted, is applicable “to all VIDE-affiliated personnel, including teachers, administrators, support staff, contractors, volunteers, and affiliates, irrespective of their specific roles or titles.” The draft policy comes mere months after the V.I. government, following several requests by The Daily News, released a preliminary report in September on the school system’s failure to keep students safe from sexual abuse by staff, three years after Charlotte Amalie High School track coach and hall monitor Alfredo Bruce Smith was arrested by federal agents.