St. Croix Central High School to Remain Closed Nov. 22

Environmental Protection Agency to begin campus monitoring Friday

The St. Croix Central High School will remain closed on November 22 due to continued areal monitoring on and around the school grounds in an effort to identify the source of a gaseous odor impacting the campus, Virgin Islands Department of Education officials in the St. Croix District announced. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected on island today and will begin areal monitoring on the Central High campus Friday morning.

Efforts to identify and mitigate the source of the odor continued today, led by the Virgin Islands Fire Services Hazmat Team and the Virgin Islands National Guard’s 23rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST).

According to the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital (JFLH), “no patient has presented to the hospital with signs and symptoms related to the incident.” Emergency personnel at JFLH and the Virgin Islands Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) remain prepared to support, respond, and provide immediate assistance to impacted residents. Residents with health issues related to this incident are advised to report to the hospital immediately.

The following meetings are planned for parents of students attending Central High School and Educational Complex High School on Thursday, November 21, 2019:

5:30 p.m. – Central High School parents

6:30 p.m. – St. Croix Educational Complex High School parents

Location: St. Croix Educational Complex High School Auditorium

The Department will continue to provide updates on any impacts to public health and the environment, and thanks the community for its continued patience and cooperation.