High School to Harvard

Elaine Cawley Weintraub, chairman of the history department at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School and developer of the new Brazilian history and culture program at the school has been invited to speak at a seminar at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University on Saturday, Dec. 11. The theme will be the challenges that prompted the creation of this unique course offering in Massachusetts, and the triumphs and tribulations of the class.

Tribal Council Elections

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais was reelected for a second three-year term as chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) on Nov. 21. She ran unopposed.

Councilman William Durwood (Woody) Vanderhoop was elected Tribal Council secretary, replacing incumbent Eleanor Hebert.

Councilwoman Naomi Carney was reelected and Shelley Carter was elected for a three-year term on the Tribal Council.

Council members will be sworn in at a ceremony on Jan. 8, 2011.

With little discussion, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School district committee voted on Monday night to certify a $16.6 million operating budget for the coming fiscal year, a .98 per cent increase over last year.

Even with most teachers receiving two per cent contractual salary increases next year, the extra spending will be offset by staff reductions due to retirements and the elimination of the home economics program.

After seven months on the job, Tri-Town Ambulance chief Robert Bellinger is stepping down. Chilmark police chief Brian Cioffi told the selectmen at their meeting on Tuesday night that Mr. Bellinger will become assistant chief of the up-Island ambulance service and will assist in the search for someone to fill the position.