Regional High School Principal Resigns

<p>After barely a year on the job, high school principal Gil Traverso has resigned, Vineyard schools superintendent Matthew D&rsquo;Andrea confirmed Friday. Mr. Traverso has taken a new position in New Haven, Conn. </p>

After barely a year on the job, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School principal has resigned, Vineyard schools superintendent Matthew D’Andrea confirmed Friday.

“Gil Traverso has given us verbal notification that he has accepted a position in New Haven, Conn., Mr. D’Andrea told the Gazette. He said he had only just received the news this week, and that he and assistant superintendent Richard Smith are in discussion about the next steps. “We are looking at our options and deciding on a plan going forward, which we will communicate to the school community probably early next week,” Mr. D’Andrea said. “Gil Traverso has been a tremendous asset and he will be missed.”

Mr. Traverso was named as new principal at the regional high school in July 2014. He took over for principal Stephen Nixon, who had resigned his post three months earlier. Mr. Traverso began work in September at the start of the school year. He came to the Vineyard from Springfield where he had been head of a vocational school, and his long experience as an educator was cited as a plus. He had been a resident of Hamden, Ct.

The New Haven Independent, an online news site, reported this week that Mr. Traverso was appointed as one three new directors of instruction for the New Haven public schools. Members of the school district's board of education unanimously approved his hiring at a salary of $140, 021. He will begin work on Sept. 8, according to the Independent.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/07/2015 - 14:21

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Smarty OB

Just bouncing Round from one high six figure job to another, each step getting more money. I wonder how much one can actually accomplish for the HS in just one year. Wouldn't it have made more sense to hire someone who actually has ties to the island?

Ben Vineyard Haven

You are not talking to the same people I am talking to. Wouldn't you like to know the real reason he is leaving just after a year?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/07/2015 - 14:58

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skip OB

Ouch; will miss you Gil Traverso but all best and Happy Trails. BIG shoes to fill on an expensive-to-live-on Island...

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/07/2015 - 15:56

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Elaine Cawley Weintraub West Tisbury

Our loss. Good luck Gil. You will
Be missed by
Many particularly our students.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/07/2015 - 17:05

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Marco Taylor Oak Bluffs

It would have great to hear from the man about why he's leaving. Get with it Gazette.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 08/07/2015 - 18:34

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Michael Marcus West Tisbury

We need to do a much better job vetting folks to come work in our school system. He obviously never intended to make the Island his home. Very disappointing to get such late notice and dump us in a lurch. You can't even claim to care about the kids you were responsible for never mind the teachers and other administrators. Shame on you Sir.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/08/2015 - 06:57

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Jeanne OB

This is what happens when you hire non islanders for positions like this. They are not always committed to the island and the kids. Really not cool that he did this one month from school starting. Very disappointing.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/08/2015 - 10:09

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Lorraine OB

Came into the High School, disrupted everyone's lives, and left. Next time they will hire LOCAL! Find out the real reason he left......

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/09/2015 - 10:20

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Dear Lord Martha's Vineyard

I think the reason he was chosen is he was most qualified and accepted the position. I don't even think he was their first choice.
How did he disrupt everyone's lives? He was fair and the kids loved him. For the first time in years kids knew what their principal looked like, unlike the previous one.

They didn't hire local cause nobody was qualified on this island.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/09/2015 - 20:32

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George Stein Edgartown

Appreciated his candor in bringing light to structural deficiencies of the school. Can we revisit the progress made on issues he raised. Interim person could be lead candidate hopefully. Head hunters chase quality people everyday. Money talks

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/09/2015 - 23:29

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DMO OB

I hope MVRHS truly finds a good heart to oversee the education of it's young men and women. Amen.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/10/2015 - 12:29

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D S W Tisbury

I think there are plenty of Island people in the educational pool available to fill the position. Stop importing!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/10/2015 - 13:47

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Springfield Resident

Did anyone realize he's from Hamden,CT? This isn't an affordable island and housing is tough. Maybe he just wanted to go back to familiar territory.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/10/2015 - 23:21

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DMO

It's hard to hear the accolades bestowed upon this guy by single-minded people while they bash the former principal, Steve Nixon. This is not about the kids. This is Politics 101.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/09/2015 - 13:10

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Wellwhadayaknow New England

I guess the locals AREN'T qualified if folks from other places are coming in to do the job. On another note, people need to quit fooling around with these kids lives. Either you care about doing this job or stay the hell away. Sick of politics being played with these kids. Sick of it.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 12/29/2019 - 11:56

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Maura Rivera CT

It was good that he only stayed a year. I am sure, if history means anything, that not everyone thought the world of him. He also left New Haven. Was not the first pick here, not the first pick in Springfield. Seems that the man has had luck.

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