At Risk: Health Council Assesses Trends in Teen Behavior
By IAN FEIN
Have you ever tried smoking a cigarette, even one or two puffs? On an average school day, how many hours do you watch TV? During the past seven days, how many times did you eat green salad?
These are the types of questions that Vineyard students in sixth through twelfth grade will be asked in an anonymous youth risk behavior survey, which will be conducted next month for the first time in three years.
In a sharply split vote that came after nearly two hours of polling among board members, the All-Island School Committee last night selected James H. Weiss as the next superintendent of Vineyard public schools.
Mr. Weiss, who has been superintendent of the Sanborn regional school system in New Hampshire for the last seven years, is expected to take over leadership of the Island's six public schools on July 1, replacing Vineyard interim superintendent G. Paul Dulac.
In West Tisbury, Debt Payments Pile High
By IAN FEIN
West Tisbury voters have been running up their collective credit card balance in recent years. Now the bills are starting to pile up in the town budget.
The proposed $12.1 million town budget for fiscal year 2006, which will go before voters at the annual town meeting in April and takes effect in July, includes $850,000 in debt spending - up $375,000, or almost 80 per cent, from the current fiscal year.
The overall budget is up 11 per cent, or $1.2 million, from this year.
Three Superintendent Candidates Vie for Helm of Island Schools
By IAN FEIN
After five months of searching and two different interims, the Vineyard may have its new permanent superintendent of schools named next week.
The all-Island school committee began a series of interviews with three finalists on Wednesday, and will meet with the last superintendent candidate on Monday.
Land Plan for Ice House Pond Stirs Heated Commission Debate
By IAN FEIN
Angry exchanges and charges of bad faith erupted during a Martha's Vineyard Land Bank meeting called this week to discuss the draft management plan for Ice House Pond Preserve.
Land bank commissioner Michael Stutz of Aquinnah said the plan has numerous inconsistencies and huge holes. He called for additional study of the pond this summer, and criticized what he said was an unprecedented effort to rush through the management process.
Superintendent Field Narrows to Three
By IAN FEIN
Two of the five finalists for superintendent of Vineyard schools withdrew their names from consideration this week.
Despite the drop in numbers, school officials remained optimistic about the remaining candidates, each of whom has substantial administrative experience in New England schools.
"We're down to three people," school board member David Rossi of Edgartown said at the committee meeting Tuesday night. "And the cream rose to the top."