The regional high school district committee voted Monday night to spend $29,000 to get the ball rolling on renovations to the high school track.

Negotiations between the regional high school district committee and a group that wants to upgrade and maintain the school playing fields have been fraught with disagreement since June, with key terms of a contract still hanging as of this week.

A controversial plan to revamp the high school playing fields using artificial turf is on hold after a community group unveiled a detailed counter proposal this week to upgrade the fields using all grass instead.

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission has begun laying the groundwork for a highly anticipated public hearing this spring to review plans for an artificial turf field at the regional high school.

A widely debated proposal to install synthetic playing fields at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School continues to draw debate as it heads for review later this month.

Many Islanders this year have found themselves mired in a debate over the merits of grass versus artificial turf for the high school playing fields. Similar debates have played out across the country.