The Virgin Islands Department of Education and the Consigli/Benton Joint Venture officially broke ground Monday on the new Charlotte Amalie High School, marking the start of a major reconstruction effort aimed at replacing aging school infrastructure on St. Thomas.
The project represents a significant investment in St. Thomas’s educational facilities and could reshape local construction and contracting opportunities. As the island’s school system works to modernize buildings damaged by past hurricanes, residents and business owners are watching closely to see how many jobs and contracting opportunities will flow to Virgin Islands-based workers and companies.
A Turning Point for USVI Education Infrastructure
The new high school will be built on property at 8 and 9 Alton Adams Sr. Drive in Charlotte Amalie. According to government procurement records, the Consigli/Benton Joint Venture has been tasked with designing and constructing a complete, turnkey facility that includes all furnishings, furniture, and equipment.
The scope of work extends beyond Charlotte Amalie High School. The joint venture is also responsible for renovating and modernizing Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School at 12A Bovoni on St. Thomas, according to public procurement filings. Both projects fall under contract P070DOET24, awarded by the Virgin Islands Department of Property and Procurement.
The Office of Disaster Recovery is coordinating the effort, suggesting that these reconstruction projects are tied to recovery funding available in the aftermath of hurricanes that impacted the territory in recent years.
Eyes on Local Economic Benefit
St. Thomas residents and business leaders will be monitoring how the Consigli/Benton partnership distributes work throughout the local economy. Large construction projects can provide steady employment for construction workers, electricians, plumbers, and other skilled trades, as well as purchasing opportunities for local suppliers and subcontractors.
The question of local workforce participation in major government-funded projects has been a persistent concern in the Virgin Islands. While federal and territorial law requires consideration of local hiring, the actual percentage of jobs and contracts that flow to local workers versus off-island firms varies widely across projects.
Neither the joint venture nor the Department of Education has released details about hiring plans, apprenticeship opportunities, or targeted subcontracting requirements for local businesses.
School Modernization Long Overdue
Charlotte Amalie High School serves as one of the largest educational facilities on St. Thomas, educating hundreds of secondary students each year. Building new infrastructure rather than continuing to patch aging facilities signals recognition by territorial leadership that the school system’s physical plants require substantial investment.
The modernization of Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School alongside the high school project suggests a coordinated approach to upgrading the island’s public school buildings. Both schools serve central St. Thomas neighborhoods with significant student populations.
Timeline and Next Steps Unclear
The April 20 ceremony formally launched construction, but the government has not released a detailed timeline for project completion, estimated costs, or phasing information. Residents expecting disruptions to traffic, utilities, or school operations around the Alton Adams Sr. Drive site may want to seek updates from the Department of Education as work progresses.
Public information about the project’s budget, workforce targets, and community benefit agreements remains limited. STT News will continue monitoring the Consigli/Benton joint venture’s progress and any announcements regarding local hiring and contracting.
As construction moves forward, St. Thomas residents and business owners will have their first real measure of whether this major public investment translates into meaningful local economic opportunity.
