St. Croix Contractor Donates Labor and Parts to Fix Years-Long Kitchen Issue at Markoe Elementary
Cue Writer
A St. Croix construction company is stepping up to get the kitchen at Claude O. Markoe Elementary School ready before the first day of classes. J. Benton Construction has committed to donating the parts and labor needed to complete a gas line connection and install an ice machine in the school’s kitchen — work that has gone unresolved for several years. The fix is expected to be completed before school opens on August 10.
Senator Kurt Vialet, who chairs the Legislature’s Education and Workforce Development Committee, credited coordination between his office, J. Benton Construction, the Bureau of School Construction and Maintenance, and the Virgin Islands Department of Education for getting the project moving. Special recognition went to James Benton, Luna Wittmann, Kip Garman, and Maen Yusuf for their work on the effort.
“This has been an ongoing issue for far too long, and we are grateful to everyone who stepped forward to help bring it closer to a resolution,” Vialet said. “This contribution will help ensure that the school’s kitchen is safe, functional, and prepared to serve students when the new school year begins.”
Vialet’s office said it will continue working with education officials and community partners to address facility concerns at public schools across the territory.