Lockhart Closes Early as Surprise Job Action Grips School; Assault and Threats Against Teachers by Students Contributed, AFT Says

ST. THOMAS — A job action at the Lockhart K-8 School on St. Thomas has led to the early dismissal of students in grades 4-8, a situation that caused a domino effect of disruptions affecting parents and guardians.

According to the V.I. Dept. of Education, the disruption was due to "instructional interruptions caused by a teacher job action, non-sanctioned by the American Federation of Teachers Local 1825."

Educational officials instructed parents and guardians to meet their students at the school as soon as possible, and said that students who rely on school buses utilize this service.

The department said students in grades K-3rd will remain on campus for regular school operations until 2:45 p.m., and stressed that "only 4th to 8th grade students are being dismissed."

St. Thomas Police Chief Steven Phillip told the Consortium that officers were deployed at the school to oversee an orderly dismissal. He said American Federation of Teachers and Education officials were meeting to discuss today's walkout and protest.