Today, Martha’s Vineyard students of all ages begin the 2014-2015 school year. Island taxpayers spend generously on education. This year they will contribute approximately $46,526,062 to support seven schools with a total enrollment of 2,278 students.
Recently, The Times invited the principals of each school and superintendent of schools James Weiss to describe each school’s preparations, important programs or faculty changes, and goals for the academic year.
And, there is a rundown of the basics — descriptions of individual school enrollments, operating budgets, staff, and contact information. It is information that Island students, parents, and taxpayers ought to know.
Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School
Grades 9-12
Principal Gil Traverso
Approximate enrollment: 687
Staff: 138
Operating budget FY 15: $15,373,460*
Tel. number: 508-693-1033
Edgartown School
Principal John Stevens
Grades K-8
Approximate enrollment: 356
Staff: 82
Operating budget FY 15: $7,137,461**
Tel. number: 508-627-3316
Oak Bluffs School
Principal Richard Smith
Grades: K-8
Approximate enrollment: 387
Staff: 78
Operating budget FY 15: $6,745,718**
Tel. number: 508-693-0951
Tisbury School
Principal John Custer
Grades K-8
Approximate enrollment: 326
Staff: 78
Operating budget FY 15: $6,147,198**
Tel. number: 508-696-6500
Chilmark School
Head of School Susan Stevens
K-5
Approximate enrollment: 62
Staff: 22
Operating budget FY 15: $1,210,038***
Tel. number: 508-645-2562
West Tisbury School
Principal Donna Lowell-Bettencourt
Pre-K-8
Approximate enrollment: 280
Staff: 76
Operating budget FY 15: $5,912,187***
Tel. number: 508-696-7738
Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School
Director Robert Moore
K-12
Enrollment: 180
Staff: 50
Operating budget FY 15: $4,000,000
Tel. number: 508-693-9900
(Enrollment figures are estimated numbers at the opening of school. Staff figures are the total number of individuals including full- and part-time employees.)
*Includes payroll obligations, transportation, benefits, insurance, capital costs, and debt reduced by general fund revenues.
**The operating budget does not include insurance, benefits and payroll obligations for staff, or debt.
***The operating budget for the two schools in the Up-Island Regional School District includes benefits and building insurance. It does not include general liability insurance, payroll obligations, retirement, capital costs, transportation, or debt reduced by general fund revenue.