Dear Source:
I know this is not the only response you have received, and when I called a fellow Virgin Islander and told her about the article, she said, "oh they have been sending money back for years." This is probably the response of most people, but this article touched a place in me that demanded that I use my voice on behalf of my niece who is a freshman attending St. Croix Complex. When I think about how that $133.37 could add to her educational experience, I am incensed and want change and I am committed to sending this message to all the School Board Members of the Virgin Islands.
I am a Virgin Islander Living in D.C. (in the middle of the political mecca) and I am appalled and embrassed to read that the UVSI is returning so much money to the US Treasury. After a while, the US government will get the point… you don't want their money nor or do you know how to use it. You have established this as a fact in the past 5 years! In the current economy, borrowing billions from foreign countries and pushing for transparency and accountability, the US government will look at who and what it is funding and make decisions based on past performance and use of resources.
This is not rocket science, use the money on the students, invest in the future of the islands! There is so much that students in the USVI can benefit from, if you don't have the resources, bring them in…that is what the money is there for. Parents should be outraged and demand the School Board give an account of why this happened and develop a plan to reduce the amount that is returned. If the School Board doesn't know how to do it, call me!
I hear so much about the brain-drain on the USVI, students graduating and leaving the islands and never returning to contribute to the development of the islands. I am one of those, I graduated from Central High School in 1987 and attended Howard University. After graduation, I wanted to return home, and still do, but when I read and hear about the lack of professionalism, accountability, and common sense that is rampant in the leadership of public agencies, I immediately reject this notion. The leaders need to get the message and get off their high horses and down in the trenches working to improve the lifes of islanders. Do what they are paid to do! Then and only then, the students will have strong leadership role models and an increase desire to stay or return and give back to their community.
Lesa Gilbert
Washington, D.C.
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to visource@gmail.com.
