News
High housing costs and new federal certification requirements have led to teacher shortages at Island schools. Staffing problems are currently limited to the subject areas of math, computers, special education and foreign languages, but school leaders are nevertheless worried and taking steps to address the problem.
At a meeting of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School District Committee last week, Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss announced a concerted effort to address the lack of interest for prospective teachers at the high school.
In a town well known for spirited and lengthy town meetings, Oak Bluffs voters may have set a new benchmark this year, as intense scrutiny of town finances coupled with often emotional debate on a wide range of topics pushed the political season to 12 hours spread over four evenings.
In an extraordinary outcome, a Tisbury town referendum on whether town restaurants should be allowed to sell beer and wine with meals ended in a tie vote this week, 690 in favor and 690 against.
Following the annual town election Tuesday, which saw a record turnout, supporters of beer and wine sales have called for a recount of the votes, citing the possibility that improperly marked ballots wound up in the count.
The machine count recorded 21 blank ballots.
Good Morning! The Gazette office will be closed on Monday in for the state holiday. And Susan Brown of Edgartown called yesterday to report Mayflowers blooming near the Edgartown Great Pond.
A longtime West Tisbury resident has donated $12,000 to support and encourage female farmers on the Vineyard.
A documentary film on women in agriculture and a panel discussion which followed inspired Kenneth Malcolm Jones, a machinist and founder of the nonprofit organization Up the River Endeavors, to give the money.
The event, entitled Ladies of the Land, was part of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival which took place in Chilmark last month.
Earth Day Clean Up
Vineyard Conservation Society’s annual Earth Day Beach Clean Up tomorrow, Saturday, April 19, from 10 to noon, so bring your family and friends to your favorite beach.
Volunteers will meet you and show you what to do. Volunteers will receive all the materials needed for the cleanup, plus a conservation society reusable shopping bag made from recycled bottles.