Project Links
Proposed Land Exchange with Territorial Government of the Virgin Islands to Enable School Construction
Virgin Islands National Park » Proposed Land Exchange with Territorial Government of the Virgin Islands to Enable School Construction » Document List
The purpose of this NPS project is for the NPS to respond to the request from the GVI to exchange a parcel of NPS-owned land, known as the Catherineberg Estate (Tract No. 01-137A), with the GVI as a possible location to support the island's local educational needs. In exchange, the GVI has offered the island of Whistling Cay (Tract No. 02-101) for consideration.
The project is needed because the government of the Virgin Islands has determined that a public education on St. John is lacking and is currently only available through the eighth grade. In order to complete a public high school education, students must commute by boat each day or relocate to St. Thomas during the school year. For nearly three decades, the GVI and the US government have discussed approaches to expanding education on St. John. Steps taken between 2012-2014 identified the 11-acre park parcel within the Catherineberg Estate as a possible location to support the island's education needs. In November 2019, Governor Bryan offered the small island of Whistling Cay for consideration in an exchange, reenergizing negotiations. This potential exchange provides the opportunity for local officials to achieve their long-standing effort to construct the first K-12 public school on the island of St. John. Education is a component of the NPS mission and therefore, this request from the GVI aligns with NPS goals.
(340) 776-6201
The project is needed because the government of the Virgin Islands has determined that a public education on St. John is lacking and is currently only available through the eighth grade. In order to complete a public high school education, students must commute by boat each day or relocate to St. Thomas during the school year. For nearly three decades, the GVI and the US government have discussed approaches to expanding education on St. John. Steps taken between 2012-2014 identified the 11-acre park parcel within the Catherineberg Estate as a possible location to support the island's education needs. In November 2019, Governor Bryan offered the small island of Whistling Cay for consideration in an exchange, reenergizing negotiations. This potential exchange provides the opportunity for local officials to achieve their long-standing effort to construct the first K-12 public school on the island of St. John. Education is a component of the NPS mission and therefore, this request from the GVI aligns with NPS goals.
Contact Information
Nigel Fields, Superintendent(340) 776-6201