Legal Counsel
About Us
Under the direction of the Commissioner of Education, the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) provides professional legal counsel to the Virgin Islands Department of Education and administers legal services to all Departmental programs, activity centers, and both the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix School Districts. The OLC prepares and renders legal opinions for the Commissioner, Insular Superintendents, and Leadership Team on education law, Virgin Islands laws, the Constitution and federal laws affecting public elementary and secondary students and Department employees. In addition, this Office advises the Commissioner, Insular Superintendents and Department staff on student and employee related matters and investigates written complaints filed by employees or students; functions as the Department’s liaison with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights; and reviews complaints filed by parents or advocacy groups on behalf of students or individuals with disabilities.
The Office of Legal Counsel is engaged in formulating and writing the Department’s Territorial policies and procedures and creating rules and regulations for promulgation by the Department of Education; studies and interprets laws, court decisions, ordinances and other legal authorities. OLC also reviews contracts, agreements, and other legal documents including Memorandums of Agreements and Understanding between agencies of the Government, stipulations, releases, affidavits, responses to enforcement agencies notices of violations, etc. and serves as liaison to local and Federal agencies on legal, contractual, and procedural matters involving the Department of Education.
OLC drafts legal memoranda legislation for matters affecting the Department through the Commissioner, keeps abreast of legislation, provides legal assistance in reviewing proposed legislation, and represents the Department of Education as an advocate before the Legislature of the Virgin Islands in such matters as directed by the Commissioner. OLC represents the Department of Education at workshops and seminars relating to student matters, participates in in-service education programs with Department staff and conducts staff training sessions and workshops on various issues. OLC provides overall legal support for the Department as it continues its mission...turning Today's Learners into Tomorrow's Leaders.
Meet the Team
Keila M. Belt, Esq.
Attorney Belt, a native Virgin Islander, brings a wealth of legal experience and knowledge to VIDE, stemming from a career dedicated to public service and advocacy. She began her legal career at the Miami Dade Public Defender’s Office where she advocated for indigent persons in cases ranging from juvenile delinquency to felonies. Attorney Belt was also the Supervising Attorney for Women In Distress of Broward County’s Injunction for Protection Project where she managed a team of staff attorneys representing victims of domestic violence.
Attorney Belt earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing Management from St. Thomas University and her Juris Doctorate from St. Thomas University’s Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. After relocating back to the Virgin Islands, Attorney Belt transitioned to private practice where she handled a wide variety of criminal, civil, and family law matters.
Attorney Belt also has an extensive career in education beginning with her time as a high school English teacher in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and as an Adjunct Professor for St. Thomas University teaching Organizational Law. Her passion and dedication to advocating on behalf of society’s most vulnerable individuals and her profound belief that quality education can be transformative makes her an integral and valuable addition to the VIDE family.
As the late Maya Angelou once said: “When you know better, you do better.” Attorney Belt embodies that sentiment as she works with VIDE to advance its vision of embracing and empowering all Virgin Islands students to reach their fullest potential.
Contact Us
For questions, assistance, or concerns, please contact the VIDE Office of Legal Counsel. All inquiries are handled professionally and confidentially.
Office of Legal Counsel Keila M. Belt Esq. Na'Kaya Esdaille (Program Assistant)
legal.counsel@vide.vi keila.belt@vide.vi nakaya.esdaille@vide.vi