In the MV Times edition of April 2, there were two articles of interest — one focused on the evolving changes in the English offerings at the high school, and one about the creative work-study program that helps high school students explore areas that excite them, alongside their academic studies. These articles give us an awareness of how much our public high school offers its students. It is now past time for all of us to examine and then vote on June 2, regarding the very real and immediate need for a rebuild of the current high school building, which, as noted in a Vineyard Gazette article dated Feb. 25, “was first built in 1959, and has long-outdated heating and air handling equipment, dilapidated roofs that leak, and classroom space that no longer meets education codes. Some of the core systems are old, and very expensive to maintain. There is asbestos and mold, and a variety of deteriorating factors.”
My daughter is a Tisbury resident who grew up on the Island, attended both the Tisbury School and MVRHS, and now has her own child in the school system. She gave an immediate YES as soon as she heard that there were environmental problems in the high school’s existing building. “We know we need a better school, and I hope we can provide that to the students and educators as quickly as possible,” was her succinct summary of this situation. I, too, was inclined toward yes, but I wanted to learn as much as possible, for my own understanding and so I can be an advocate in my conversations with my fellow community members about this project.
Since January, our M.V. Regional High School Building Committee has been holding public presentations to give us an understanding of why and what our high school needs. I have attended three of these presentations, and am concerned about the low attendance. It occurred to me that perhaps many people in our community believe that this project will be included in the upcoming town meetings, and they can learn and ask questions at that time.
However, the high school committee has chosen a different path for this vote, in the hope of avoiding the recent situation faced by the town of Tisbury. In that town in 2018, the original proposal to renovate the elementary school, which included a substantial amount of state funding, was narrowly voted down at the ballot after it passed in town meeting. Unfortunately, the necessity of addressing the growing needs of the student community and rehabilitating the unsafe health conditions in the building remained. Tisbury ultimately voted favorably in 2021 for a rebuild that was much more expensive, due to rising construction costs and no state funding.
Our high school committee did not want to risk losing state funding. It also believes this is an all-Island project deserving an Island-wide vote on June 2. A majority vote in favor means that the project will move forward, and we will retain the $71 million available in state funding.
The high school building committee has been working for many years on this proposal, with dedication and thoughtfulness. Just a few examples of their efforts: The building committee has worked intensively with architects to bring the project size down to the minimum square footage possible; they plan to do the renovations in phases, so that students and teachers do not have to relocate to trailers and no additional costs will be incurred; they have spent years working to secure the $71 million in state funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
We live on an Island and experience both the benefits and challenges that come with this. The wide scope and cost of this project is partially because we have a comprehensive high school, which means that our school prepares students both for college and for careers they can begin right out of high school. This is unusual, but is a direct response to our community’s unique needs. Off-Island, there are separate technical high schools, but here our one school provides college prep, arts, technical education, music, special education, and athletics. This allows as many students as possible to be supported in their educational experience here in our community.
I do appreciate that the money required from each town to fund this project is staggering, and will impact each of us who own property. I am a Tisbury resident on a fixed income, and the increase in my property taxes is daunting. I am grateful for the residential tax reduction programs that several of the Island towns have implemented, but there is no avoiding the fact that this project will increase our annual taxes. However, I believe that education is a cornerstone of our community and our democracy, and the students, educators, and administrators of our high school deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to work and learn.
If you want more information, there are many ways to do this. Go to mvrhsbuildingproject.info for a comprehensive resource of the plans, the process, a tax-estimate tool, and a list of the upcoming community info sessions. You can also visit both of the Island newspaper’s websites and search for their numerous articles about this project, and all of the related community concerns.
I am asking our Island community to go to the polls on June 2 and vote YES for this much-needed high school renovation.
Jean Hay is a resident of Tisbury.
We invite all viewpoints regarding the replacement of the high school, a critical infrastructure project that will impact the Island for years to come. If you want to submit an essay or letter for consideration, send it to editor@mvtimes.com.