Tisbury Finds that Urbanity Can Be Costly

By RACHEL NAVA ROHR

Normally, it would not surprise people to learn that the Tisbury School is no longer considered "rural" enough to qualify for a federal grant called the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP).

But given that 2004 was the first year that the Island's most densely populated towns - Tisbury, Oak Bluffs and Edgartown - were awarded the REAP grant, and Tisbury alone was the only school district to lose the grant last fall, the loss has raised some eyebrows.

Among the many speeches given at the commissioning of the new ferry Island Home last Saturday, Boyd (Butch) King's was both the briefest and most touching.

Trying to get people's thoughts on the new Island Home ferry during its maiden voyage Monday afternoon was kind of like asking a child what they thought of their new stepmom or stepdad the same day their parents got divorced.

Trying to get people\'s thoughts on the new Island Home ferry during its maiden voyage Monday afternoon was kind of like asking a child what they thought of their new stepmom or stepdad the same day their parents got divorced.

The Steamship Authority board of governors is expected to declare the Islander surplus and put the vessel up for sale when it meets next week.

The general manager of the boat line, Wayne Lamson, said he would recommend the board invite potential buyers to submit sealed bids, with a view to disposing of the 57-year-old ferry within three or four months.

Officials from Martha's Vineyard Regional High School joined forces with a determined group of student athletes this week to fight the recent decision by the South Coast athletic conference to remove several Vineyard sports teams from its ranks.

The Vineyard school is mounting a double-barreled effort, lobbying mainland officials for support while mulling a legal challenge to the removal.