The Aquinnah select board is hoping to learn if the town is responsible for paying the entire education costs for students who live on sovereign land owned by the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). 

The board voted to send a letter to Richard Smith, superintendent of Martha’s Vineyard public schools, outlining tax concerns at a meeting on July 29. Right now, the town pays for the education costs of students living on sovereign land, and the board was interested in finding out if the expense could be shared with the other five Vineyard towns. 

“There is a question as to whether or not it’s Aquinnah’s responsibility to assume the educational expenses for children from a sovereign nation, or is that more appropriately shared among the Island towns,” select board member Tom Murphy said.

There are 12 students who reside on federally recognized Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) land, which is exempt from local taxation. About 35 per cent of the town’s budget is dedicated to education costs, and based on total current student counts, $48,000 is spent on each student, according to the letter. 

Town officials say Aquinnah is facing significant and growing fiscal pressures, and the town bears one of the highest property tax rates in the Commonwealth – $6.76 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2025.

Mr. Murphy said he ran the letter by Kevin Devine, a Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) council member, who gave his support. 

“This inquiry is not a challenge to the educational rights of any student, nor a critique of the Tribe’s integral role in our community,” the letter states. “It is a question of municipal fiscal responsibility, district funding methodology, and the equitable distribution of costs across Island towns.” 

Mr. Murphy said he also met with Mr. Smith ahead of time, who voiced his cooperation.

“[Mr. Smith] said he will try to get us responses immediately and work with the town to do whatever he can to help with the cost that Aquinnah is currently assuming,” Mr. Murphy said.

Mr. Smith did not immediately respond to a request for comment.  

Town administrator Jeffrey Madison, who is a member of the tribe and has had children go through the school system, voiced his support. 

“Hopefully this will be able to go forward with recognition of the unique circumstances of corporate budgeting,” Mr. Madison said.