Chris Burrell

Children Meet Racism on Tisbury Side Street

Two young girls from New Jersey got their first exposure to overt racism this week when they returned from a morning walk into downtown Vineyard Haven and found a racial slur spray-painted in letters two feet tall in the street by the house their family was renting at Clough Lane and Pine street.

Tisbury police are investigating the vandalism that happened Wednesday — possibly in broad daylight — and police chief John McCarthy is looking into whether the incident should be considered a hate crime.

 

 

 

Teacher Admits Thefts; to Repay School Funds, Do Community Service

By CHRIS BURRELL

Faced with a widening police investigation, longtime regional high school teacher Peter J. Koines admitted yesterday in Edgartown District Court that he stole school-owned kitchen equipment and funneled $20,000 of school funds into his personal bank account and summer pie business.

0

Police Audit Says Another $19,000 in Fees Was Lost from School's Accounts

By CHRIS BURRELL

Oak Bluffs police now believe that the regional high school culinary arts teacher charged with stealing $11,000 worth of school-owned equipment and food supplies may have also pocketed an additional $19,000 in payments that were supposed to go into a student activity account.

Police went to Edgartown District Court yesterday seeking two new charges against Peter J. Koines: one count of larceny over $250 and a second count of larceny by false pretenses.

0

As Culinary Probe Proceeds, School Leaders Are Divided

By CHRIS BURRELL

More than a month after regional high school teacher Peter J. Koines was arrested by Oak Bluffs police and charged with stealing $11,000 worth of school-owned equipment and funds, Island school officials are now seriously divided over how they should be responding.

0

Teaching Assistant Positions at West Tisbury Are Under Threat as Budget Shortfalls Loom

By CHRIS BURRELL

Faced with a $400,000 shortfall in their budget, school leaders from the three up-Island towns are now planning to cut back the roster of teaching assistants at the West Tisbury School.

The Up-Island Regional School District committee will decide next Thursday whether to lay off three teaching assistants or reduce all assistants to a four-day work week.

0