Martha's Vineyard Megan Dooley

Chappy Native Pens Kids’ Book, Talks About Growing Up Different

Megan Dooley | Thursday, December 17 2009 - 1:04pm

As a student at the Edgartown School, a counselor once told Chappaquiddick native Stephanie Duckworth-Elliott that she wouldn’t go to college, and implied that Ms. Duckworth-Elliott would not achieve in life. The young girl had a background and home life that already separated her from other kids her age — she was a member of the only Wampanoag family living on Chappy at the time, and raised primarily by her grandfather — and the counselor’s prediction made her feel even more detached from her peers.

Authors

High School Scrambles to Cover $300,000 Deficit for This Year

Megan Dooley

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School expects a deficit of more than $300,000 for the current school year, its finance manager said Monday, forcing school officials to make cuts to the supply budget and scramble for any other savings to be found in the budget.

Regional High School finance manager Mark Friedman announced the projected shortfall for the fiscal year 2009-2010 budget at the school committee meeting Monday.

Selectmen Accept Bids, Approve Garage Move and Allow Late Morning Margaritas

Megan Dooley

Edgartown selectmen this week voted to accept two bids for town-owned lots put up for public auction by the town last month. One lot on 14th street south in Ocean Heights was sold to Carol A. Cox for $21,095. Another on Weeks Lane sold for $18,200 to Chris and Donna Kenny. The new owners are both abutters to their new properties. Selectmen rejected bids for 26 other properties because they came in under the assessed value.

School Committee Approves Changes

Megan Dooley

The All-Island School Committee approved superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss’ proposal to modify his current contract, forgoing a four per cent salary increase next year and extending his contract by two years, at the committee meeting on Sept. 10.

The committee also approved a recommendation from Dr. Weiss that administrative staff members not receive a salary increase this year, and that tech and support staff receive a 2.5 per cent increase.

Birds and Wind Turbines Can Live Together, Expert Suggests

Megan Dooley

Private and commercial wind turbines should not have a significant impact on bird populations in the town of Aquinnah as long as suitable regulations are in place, said Matt Pelikan, Islands program director for The Nature Conservancy, in a public forum held Wednesday night.

The forum was part of a series sponsored by the Aquinnah planning board on a new draft bylaw to regulate wind turbine use in town.

First Day for Chilmark Students Who May Enjoy Toys Provided by Principal

Megan Dooley

Susan Stevens didn’t last long when she stepped outside the Chilmark School to greet incoming students on their first day yesterday morning. Her thin cardigan and long, flowing dress provided little warmth for the recent Florida transplant. But back inside the school, with doors closed against the crisp Vineyard late summer weather she hasn’t yet grown used to, the new principal seemed right at home.

Shelf Life: Aquinnah to Open Refurbished Library in October

Megan Dooley

After being closed for renovations for nearly a year, the Aquinnah Public Library is set to reopen sometime next month, the town selectmen said at their regular meeting this week.

Selectmen announced on Tuesday that the library renovation project is nearly finished, although several months past the original projected completion date.