Tisbury Sets Nov. 18 Meeting on Ferry Fee

By ALEXIS TONTI

Tisbury will hold a special election Nov. 18 to determine whether the town will charge a 50-cent ferry fee for each passenger departing from the Vineyard Haven terminal.

The Tisbury selectmen, who unanimously support the fee, said Tuesday it will generate as much as $300,000 a year for the port community.

If approved, the fee will take effect in the new year.

School Statement on Koines Incident Reveals Job Change for His Supervisor

By CHRIS BURRELL

In an attempt to quell concerns and anger about the handling of a scandal uncovered at the regional high school last June, the principal and Vineyard schools superintendent this week shed more light on how they plan to clean house at the school.

East Chop residents mourned the end of an era this week, reacting to news that an old Victorian in the heart of Oak Bluffs' Highlands district may fall to a wrecking ball in the coming months.

As Enrollments Drop, Schools Ask Why; High Cost of Housing Cited in Chilmark

By CHRIS BURRELL

Faced with steadily declining enrollments, the Vineyard's two regional school district committees have decided it's time to investigate what's causing the drain of kids from their classrooms.

They are examining birth rates and planning to conduct exit interviews with families and students who left their schools, trying to figure out whether the downward spiral is part of a national trend or more of a Vineyard anomaly.

Open Space Bond Funding Faces Cuts, Legislators Say

By JULIA WELLS
Gazette Senior Writer

Cape and Islands Rep. Eric T. Turkington and a growing group of state legislators took sharp aim at the Gov. Mitt Romney administration this week as reports surfaced about plans to slash funding for the state open space bond bill.