Over the past two and a half years, McKissack & McKissack has had the honor of supporting the VIDE in one of the most ambitious school construction programs in its history, an effort to renovate or replace more than 20 of the department’s facilities following the devastation of recent hurricanes.

Project management of this scale, across a multi-island territory that brings its own logistical complexities, requires a great deal of planning before a single shovel hits the ground, says Erika Gulick, McKissack & McKissack’s Vice President, Education, Cultural & Institutional Practices. Our team spent considerable time getting the program infrastructure right, from procurement processes to project management systems to stakeholder alignment. Erika notes that it is the kind of foundational work that may not make headlines, but it makes everything else possible.

“It has been nothing short of awe-inspiring standing beside the Virgin Islands Department of Education for the last two and a half years,” remarks Erika. “Despite the many hurdles, VIDE leadership stayed the course, steadfast in their commitment to execute their established vision.”

“Through my many years in the construction business, one of the most satisfying experiences is the groundbreaking for a new school. We construct more than a building; we build hope for our next generation, and I’ve seen that in students’ reactions as they enter renovated and new schools,” said Charles Yetter, Deputy Vice President, DC PMCM. “What I’ve found in this industry is that while the tools we use are important, the greatest tool is the minds that will be developed in these new and modern schools. It’s a privilege to be part of that process.”

The resolve of everyone involved in this project deserves to be commended. We want to express our immense appreciation to the VIDE leadership team, our local subcontractor partners, and every McKissack team member who has been consistently collaborating and problem-solving every day, both in person and remotely, including Erika Gulick, Charles Yetter, Jessica Galin Christenson, MCM, Vanessa Camacho, Sadaf Mohammadi, Rosemary Ezimigbo, Cigdem Gurhan-Gunduzhan, Jared Hanley, Akeema Xuxa Laura Edwards, Brian Albertie, and Kathleen Fritz.

Every facility we break ground on represents an investment in the current and future generations of students in the USVI. We are grateful for these groundbreakings, and we are proud to say we’re just getting started.

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