32 + REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

A second regulation governing the use of school facilities and equip-
ment by the public for other than school use was prepared and sent
to the Board of Education for its review and action. A third one on
personnel policies, regulations, and procedures was completed at the
close of the year and was being forwarded to the Board of Education
for its action. A set of administrative rules and procedures for pur-
chasing was worked out in cooperation with the Department of Prop-
erty and Procurement and put into effect early in the school year.
 The federally aided programs also needed revisions to bring them
up-to-date. After careful study and review, amendments to the State
Plan on Title V, National Defense Education Act, having to do with
guidance and testing, were approved by the Board of Education.

Financial Assistance to Students
 The Department processed 135 applications for loans and financial
assistance from students entering or enrolled in colleges and uni-
versities throughout the country and Puerto Rico. The sum of $54,-
830 was loaned to 100 students. Eleven students received grants
totalling $5,275.
 In addition to grants and loans to students, the Department sub-
sidized two higher education programs in the Virgin Islands. The
sum of $30,000 was granted to Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va., to
continue its on-island program of higher education which started in
1953. The sum of $6,728 was awarded to students enrolled in the
extension program of Catholic University of Ponce, P.R.

Building Programs
 The school year 1961-62 saw the opening of 42 new elementary
classrooms in St. Thomas-the first ones since the middle fifties. A
two-classroom kindergarten school opened at Frenchtown, an eight
classroom elementary unit opened in March 1962 at Nisky, and a 32-
classroom elementary school was completed during the summer of
1962 and was scheduled to open in September.
 During 1962 over $1,500,000 for new classrooms and other school
facilities was appropriated by the Legislature at the request of the
Governor. While there is still a long way to go to solve the problem
of classroom shortage, the year 1962 brought the first major effort
in this direction.

Reorganization of the Department
 One of the major problems of the Department of Education in
recent years was the inadequacy of its organization. A major project