Mary Boyd named head teacher at West Tisbury School

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Mary Boyd is the new interim head teacher at West Tisbury School. Superintendent of Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools (MVPS) James Weiss appointed her to the position on Tuesday, Aug. 21, to fill in for assistant principal Donna Lowell-Bettencourt.

Mr. Weiss tapped Ms. Lowell-Bettencourt on July 27 to serve as the interim director of student support services Island-wide, overseeing special education. Dan Seklecki, the former director for almost 29 years, retired on June 30. His replacement, Lynn Silva, was hired on May 30, after a long search process. However, she resigned on July 5, for what she said were personal and health reasons.

Mr. Weiss said at that time he did not think another search would be successful at this time of the year, so he asked Ms. Lowell-Bettencourt to serve in the interim. Ms. Boyd will work with West Tisbury School principal Michael Halt until Ms. Lowell-Bettencourt returns next spring, Mr. Weiss said in an email announcing her appointment.

A lifelong Chilmark resident, Ms. Boyd has taught for several years at the West Tisbury School. She is also a Responsive Classroom trainer and a member of the curriculum, instruction and assessment leadership team. Mr. Weiss said she is in the process of getting the license required for an assistant principal and will assume that job once she receives it, probably within the next few weeks.