The all-Island school committee has begun its search to replace Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss, who will retire at the end of this school year.

At the first meeting of the year, the high school committee voted to have the high school manage all school buses, talked about new requirements for background checks, and welcomed new principal Gilbert Traverso.

The high school sports season began in earnest last week with three home contests. The golf squad posted the first Vineyard victory of the year, going 259-267 against Somerset on Tuesday.

In the Chilmark School Thursday morning head of school Susan Stevens stood among parents and grandparents, giving kids high fives. “Welcome back! Glad you’re here!” she said. It was the common refrain as students around the Island headed back to classrooms to begin a new school year.

Esteban Aranzabe will take over as head coach for the boys team this fall, while the girls team will be led by Rocco Bellebuono. Both men are well known as longtime coaches and leaders in the Island youth soccer program.

Public schools open Thursday morning, Sept. 4, in Island public schools. At the regional high school new leadership is the theme this year, beginning with principal Gilbert Traverso. Mr. Traverso brings his open-door policy from Hamden, Conn., where he led a vocational school.