reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 24 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 3 - Virgin Islands Board of Education|§ 24. School management accountability

 (a) The Board of Education shall: (1) in consultation with the Department of Education, conduct a thorough annual assessment and evaluation of all public school facilities, school guidance division, and school administration in the territory; (2)  (A) in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, develop and adopt the standards and guidelines for conducting a comprehensive annual inspection, assessment and evaluation of all public school facilities, school administrations and school guidance divisions in the Territory; and (B) in consultation with the Department of Health-Environment Division, the Department of Labor (OSHA) and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources make the decision via certification prior to the commencing of every school year that all public schools inspected are environmentally safe. (3) utilize the services of the Departments of Planning and Natural Resources, Public Works, Health, Environmental Health Division, Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) and Fire Service to carry out the provisions of this section. These departments shall submit a report as provided in subsection (d) of this section which shall include: (A) the identification of the major maintenance needs of the school; (B) the schedule for completing maintenance; and (C) the cost estimates for major maintenance. (b) The Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education shall develop a schedule and proposed timeline for addressing areas of concern identified through the inspection, assessment and evaluation process. (c) The Board of Education, based upon the assessments made under the provisions of this section, shall make recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor and seek and secure funding for the timely and expeditious repair and maintenance of public schools in the Territory. (d) The Board of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall make recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor through an annual report of its findings and recommendations based on the inspections conducted under the provisions of this section no later than June 15 after the close of the school academic year. The report shall include: (1) findings of administrative deficiencies and the recommendations for addressing the deficiencies; (2) findings of guidance and counseling deficiencies and recommendations for addressing the deficiencies; and (3) identification of strengths and weaknesses of each school to include achievement and standardized test scores and statistics for dropouts, attendance, college entrance and vocation program entrance.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 41 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 41. Courses of study

 (a) The Virgin Islands Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Education, shall prescribe the courses of study for all public schools which shall not be less than the minimum standards set by the acknowledged accrediting groups in the United States: provided, that the basic course of study for high schools shall be academic. (b) English shall be the basic language of instruction in all public schools and it shall be the policy of the Virgin Islands Board of Education to ensure the mastery of English by all pupils; provided that bilingual instruction may be offered in those situations when such instruction is educationally advantageous to the pupils. (c) All public schools in the Virgin Islands shall instruct all students in: (1) The history of the Virgin Islands and basic Caribbean history and drug prevention and education, such courses to be part of the curriculum in elementary and secondary schools; (2) A Virgin Islands cultural curriculum for kindergarten through grade twelve; (3) Family life, sex education, and substance abuse, such subjects to be part of the health curriculum for grades K through 12, additionally an AIDS prevention education program shall be part of the health curriculum for grades kindergarten through 12; (4) Real estate appraisal for grades 10–12; (5) Financial education programs for students in grades Kindergarten through 12 based on the concept of achieving financial literacy through the teaching of personal financial management skills and the basic principles involved with earning, spending, saving and investing; (6) Hotel and Tourism Training Courses, such courses to be part of the curriculum starting in the 1994 school year in junior high school and continuing through the twelfth grade; (7) Swimming and water safety for at least one school year, one hour per week taught by instructors with American Red Cross Water Safety Instruction Certification; (8) A structured civics course for grades 9-12 which utilizes materials relevant to the Virgin Islands and includes the functions of the three branches of Government of the Virgin Islands and the roles of public officials; and (9) Basic agriculture education for students in Kindergarten through 12th grade pursuant to § 41e of this chapter. (d) The Commissioner of Education, in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Board of Education, shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this section no later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 41a (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 41a. Bilingual education program

 (a) The Department of Education is authorized and directed to establish and maintain a bilingual education program with special courses and classroom instruction, in English and Spanish, taught and administered by qualified educators and teachers who are fluent in the English and Spanish languages, in any public elementary or secondary school in the Virgin Islands in which (10) or more pupils are unable to speak, understand, read and/or write the English language well enough to carry on the normal class activities of the grade in which he is enrolled. Particular emphasis shall be placed upon the establishment of said bilingual education program in the lower elementary grades and in career and technical education courses. (b) The Government of the United States Virgin Islands accepts the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved January 2, 1968, cited as the “Bilingual Education Act” and any act or acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto. The Virgin Islands Department of Education shall be the sole agency of the administration of bilingual programs under this section and the Act of Congress referred to herein, and shall— (1) plan for and take such necessary steps leading to the development of programs designed to meet the special educational needs of children of limited English-speaking ability in public schools having a high concentration of such children; (2) recruit and train persons to participate in bilingual education programs or teachers, teacher-aides, or other ancillary education personnel such as counselors; and (3) provide the necessary teaching materials and equipment for such bilingual education programs.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 41b (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 41b. Character education

 (a) For the purposes of this section “Character Education” means a structured curriculum where the children of the Virgin Islands learn about character traits, including but not limited to, commitment, cooperation, courtesy, creativity, generosity, honesty, moderation, patience, patriotism, punctuality, respect, compassion for others, respect for the environment, school pride, self-discipline, tolerance, dignity and the necessity of hard work. (b) The Department of Education shall establish a comprehensive elective character education program for grades K-12 grade consisting of not less than ten (10) minutes of instruction per day. Character education exercises may also include an assembly program to be held at least once a month. (c) The curriculum developed by the Department of Education shall be adopted and approved by the Board of Education, in accordance with section 21 of this title. The Department of Education shall be the administrator of the character education program and shall: (1) take all necessary steps to provide workshops and training for character education for school personnel; and (2) secure the necessary teaching materials and equipment to implement the character education program in public schools in the Virgin Islands. (d) The Department of Education shall seek federal funds for the purpose of initiating and maintaining the provisions of this section. Funds shall also be appropriated annually in the Department of Educations' budget. Grants, contributions, gifts and bequests may also be made available for purposes of this section.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 41e (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 41e. Proficiency examinations; purpose and use

 (a) The Commissioner of Education, in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Board of Education, shall require proficiency examinations to be administered annually at the 4th, 6th, 8th and 12th grade levels. Examinations administered under this section must be drafted and graded in the Virgin Islands. (1) No student who has achieved an overall score of less than 70% on his proficiency examination shall graduate or be promoted to next grade unless such student has satisfactorily passed a retest of the examination which is to be administered during the summer following the school year in which such student has failed the examination, or such student has satisfactorily completed a summer school program designed to remedy the student's deficiencies; and (2) The results of the proficiency examinations must also be used to counsel and make recommendations to students regarding their future educational decisions and directions. (b) The Commissioner of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this section no later than 24 months after the enactment of this section.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 42 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 42. Free school books; responsibility for return

 (a) The Department of Education shall supply, free of charge, all text books and any form of electronic books and digital resources to be used in the public schools, as deemed appropriate by the Virgin Islands Board of Education. (b) The Commissioner of Education may require receipts from parents or guardians of pupils for books furnished to pupils, and parents or guardians shall be legally responsible for the return of all books delivered to pupils, or financially responsible to the extent of the invoice price of new books, and to the extent of one-half of the invoice price for used books as determined by the Commissioner of Education, if such books are lost or damaged. (c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, the monies collected under subsection (b) hereinabove shall be deposited into a “Textbook Reimbursement Revolving Fund” which is hereby created and established as a separate and distinct fund within the Treasury of the Virgin Islands. The Commissioner of Finance shall disburse monies from the Textbook Reimbursement Revolving Fund only upon authorization of the Commissioner of Education, and monies collected and deposited into said Fund may be expended by the Commissioner of Education or his duly authorized designees in any manner which, in his discretion, will best effect the replacement of lost or damaged textbooks to individual schools that have suffered from such losses or damages. Each school shall receive replacement textbooks paid for out of this Fund, as necessary and valued up to an amount equal to such school's proportionate contribution to the Fund.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 43 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 43. Failure to submit registers, reports, etc.

 If a principal or teacher fails to submit any attendance register, record, or report required by the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner may, with the approval of the Virgin Islands Board of Education, cause the salary payments of such principal or teacher to be withheld.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 44 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 44. Care of school buildings, equipment, supplies, etc.

 (a) Principals and principal-teachers are charged with the responsibility during school hours for the proper care of buildings, equipment, supplies, and all school properties under their supervision, and they shall make appropriate rules to govern the use of such properties by teachers, janitors, and pupils under their supervision, provided that such rules shall be consistent with law and the regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Education. (b) The Department of Education shall employ one or more persons with general maintenance skills at every public school with an enrollment of not fewer than 250 students. The maintenance person need not be licensed in a particular trade to carry out general maintenance and minor repairs, but must demonstrate actual physical basic skills, ability and knowledge of general maintenance. (c) Schools with an enrollment of fewer than 250 students may share a maintenance person, however a maintenance person may not be permanently assigned to more than two schools on a regular or permanent basis. (d) Schools that provide vocational education may require students to provide routine maintenance at the school in their respective vocation under the supervision of the teacher as part of the semester grade. No student may be required to perform maintenance outside of the student’s vocation land ability.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 45 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 45. Use of school buildings and properties

 (a) The Commissioner of Education may, upon written request, grant permission for use of school buildings and properties under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education for civic, social, recreational and other purposes; provided, that no school building, facility, or property shall be used for any commercial function, dance, party or similar activity (unless sponsored by a school organization or under the auspices of the Department of Education) except with the prior written approval of the Governor. (b) Applicants using properties as specified in this section shall be personally responsible for any damage done to such school properties and by written agreement applicants shall agree to clean the premises following any authorized activity at a school facility and to reimburse the Department of Education for any damage done to school property. (c) The Commissioner of Education, by regulations, shall prescribe the charges to be made for the use of school buildings and facilities. The prescribed charges shall be paid in advance.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 46 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 46. High school equivalency program

 The Commissioner of Education is hereby empowered and directed to— (1) hold free tests annually for the purpose of determining the basic knowledge of the examinees in terms of the formal education required for graduation from high school in the fundamental fields of knowledge; (2) announce these tests six (6) months in advance and to place at the disposal of the candidates the facilities of the Department of Education; (3) admit to such tests, without any other prerequisite, every applicant who meets the following requirements: (a) is at least eighteen years of age; (b) In the case of an applicant who discontinued school prior to graduation; provided, that the class in which the applicant was enrolled at the time he discontinued school shall have graduated at the time the test is taken by the applicant; (c) possesses the moral qualification required for the granting of a high school diploma; and (d) Repealed. March 14, 1967, No. 1877, Sess. L. 1967, § 2, p. 45. (4) extend to each candidate who passes such tests, at the standards fixed by the Commissioner of Education, a diploma which shall, for every academic and legal purpose, be equivalent to a high school diploma.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 47 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 47. Industrial-art training in St. John—Curriculum

 The Department of Education is authorized and directed to include in the curriculum of Cruz Bay and the Benjamin Franklin Public Schools on the Island of Saint John, the teaching of Industrial Arts, including carpentry, masonry, mechanics, sheet metal, electricity and leather craft.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 48 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 48. —Priority in industrial-art training

 (a) Within the limitations of the annual budget of the Department of Education, the Department of Education shall give priority to the teaching of carpentry, masonry, mechanics, sheet metal, electricity and leather craft, over basketry and broom-making, in conformity with standard school programs. (b)  (1) The Department of Education shall establish a “Youth Internship Program” for eleventh and twelfth grade students in the public school system, with emphasis in industrial arts training, but not limited to industrial arts. The program must train students to the maximum level possible and must seek employment in the private or public sector for the trained students. (2) To be eligible a student must be in good standing in the eleventh or twelfth grade, be at least sixteen years of age, possess a social security number and receive written parental approval. (3) Upon completion of the program the student shall receive a certificate of completion.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 49 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 49. —Teachers and equipment for industrial-art training in St. John

 The Department of Education is authorized to employ all such necessary instructors or teachers and to purchase such supplies and equipment as may be necessary in connection with the teaching of Industrial Arts in the Schools specified in sections 47–51 of this title.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 50 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 50. —Rules and regulations to effectuate sections 47–51

 The Commissioner of Education is authorized to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purposes of sections 47–51 of this title.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 51 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 51. —Availability of funds for carrying out sections 47–51

 Funds for the purpose of carrying out section 47–51 of this title shall be made available by appropriations of the Legislature in the annual budget for the Department of Education.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 53 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 53. —Availability of funds for purposes of sections 52 and 53

 Funds for the purposes of sections 52 and 53 of this title shall be made available by appropriations of the Legislature in the Annual Budget for the Department of Education.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 54 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 54. Musical bands within high schools—Instructors and equipment

 The Department of Education of the Virgin Islands is authorized and directed to establish musical bands within the public high schools in the Virgin Islands, including the employment of necessary or appropriate instructors, instruments, equipment, accessories or other facilities.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 55 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 55. —Availability of funds for bands

 Funds for the establishment of bands in the public high schools pursuant to sections 54–56 of this title shall be made available by the Legislature of the Virgin Islands out of available revenues appropriated for the expenses of the Department of Education for any fiscal year.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 56 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 56. —Rules and regulations to effectuate sections 54–56

 The Commissioner of Education shall be authorized to issue all rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of sections 54–56 of this title, necessary or appropriate for the effectuation of the purposes of said sections.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 57 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 57. Alcohol Education Week—Designation

 The school week following the first Sunday in February of each year is hereby designated as Alcohol Education Week in the public schools of the Territory of the Virgin Islands.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 58 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 58. —Instructions concerning use of alcoholic beverages and narcotics

 During this week, each school principal or other designated person shall instruct each class from the seventh grade upward for at least 30 minutes on 3 days concerning the risks and dangers involved in the use of alcoholic beverages and narcotics. The principal, or such other designated person, shall also have at least one assembly session during the week of not less than 45 minutes, at which time the subject of the dangerous effect of alcohol shall be presented.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 59 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 59. —Duty of Commissioner of Education

 The Commissioner of Education shall each year call to the attention of each school principal Alcohol Education Week, and shall through the Division of Education Programs provide suitable printed materials and other aids for use in the observance of the week.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 60 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 60. —Observance of alternate week

 Should a school find it impracticable for any reason to observe Alcohol Education Week at the time designated, the principal may ask permission of the Commissioner of Education to observe an alternate week.
V.I. Code tit. 17, § 60a (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 17 - Education|Chapter 5 - Public Schools|§ 60a. Athletic fields and recreational facilities

 After September 1, 1971, no new public school shall be constructed unless in conjunction with the construction of such school there is included athletic and recreational facilities adequate for the development of comprehensive physical fitness, competitive sports and recreational program for the students of the school and residents of the school districts.