Richard Evangelista, Esq. Appointed Chief Legal Counsel
US VIRGIN ISLANDS – Government House Communications Director Richard Motta announced during the weekly briefing yesterday that next Monday, August 7th will be the start of the 2023-2024 school year for the territory’s public schools.
Motta said Governor Bryan will accompany Education Commissioner Dionne Wells-Hedrington next Monday at several school campuses on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John to welcome students, faculty, and staff and to wish them a safe and successful school year. Motta encouraged parents to check the orientation schedules for their children’s respective schools at the Department of Education’s website at vide.vi.
“We need parents to come in this week to collect devices, make insurance payments, and other required fees. If you haven’t done so already parents, please make arrangements with your employer this week to attend your students’ school campus or campuses to ensure that you can address these items,” Motta said.
In other news, Motta shared Governor Bryan’s announcement this weekend that Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Richard Evangelista is leaving the department to serve as the Governor’s Chief Legal Counsel.
Evangelista, who has served as commissioner of DLCA since 2019, has practiced law in the territory for more than 20 years and has served in various capacities in government, ranging from Legal Counsel for the Virgin Islands Public Employees Relations Board, Assistant Commissioner and Legal Counsel of the Department of Labor to Senior Policy Advisor to Governor John P. DeJongh, Jr., and Acting Chief Executive Officer and Legal Counsel of the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center. He also served as Assistant Attorney General with the Department of Justice.
DLCA Assistant Commissioner H. Natalie Hodge will serve as the department’s acting commissioner until Governor Bryan formally announces a nominee to lead the agency.
Responding to questions from the media, Motta said schools will be ready to open next week, despite recent incidents of vandalism at schools on St. Croix and St. Thomas. “None of those, to the best of my knowledge, will inhibit the start of school on Monday,” Motta said.
Asked if Evangelista’s departure from DLCA will leave a vacancy on the Cannabis Advisory Board, Motta explained that Senate confirmation is required to fill the seat. “Until the Senate confirms either the acting commissioner or confirms a nominee once the Governor announces that individual, there will be a vacancy there.”
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov
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