An Islandwide youth collaborative formed last year to enhance programs for adolescents at risk unveiled plans this week for a new building to house their group.

Juliette Fay, executive director of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, introduced the plan to the regional high school committee Monday evening, calling it the next step in the agenda for the youth collaborative. “Across the street at Community Services we’ve really eaten our footprint,” said Ms. Fay. “We have very little space, especially for groups and group therapy. Scheduling is a daunting prospect. The best thing for us to do is build a building on that campus.”

She said the estimated cost is about $600,000; funding will come from fundraising, which has not started. The plan is to build a 2,400-square-foot modular building on the Community Services campus, property which is leased from the regional the high school.

Ms. Fay said the building plan is preliminary and that a timetable for construction won’t be available until funding begins. Committee members offered their support.

“I would like to applaud their work,” said principal Gilbert H. Traverso. “Any investment with the kids is a great move.” In other business Monday, the committee unanimously approved hiring an intervention coordinator for the rest of the school year, following a discussion on the high number of unexcused absences last year.

Mr. Traverso presented the committee with data on school attendance and grades from the 2013-14 school year. Among 681 students, 463, or 68 per cent of the student body had five or more unexcused absences. Among those students, a significant number turned in poor grades, including Ds and Fs.

Average attendance last year was 94.13 per cent, a number committee members said they would like to improve.

Mr. Traverso said the idea was to provide early intervention for students who may be headed for failing grades. He said there is extra money in the budget to pay for the position, a fact confirmed by high school finance manager Mark Friedman. “We did a bit of number crunching for this fiscal year,” he said, noting the cost would be about $45,000 for six months.

The committee heard from the land use subcommittee on a plan to pursue Community Preservation Act money to refurbish the outdoor track. The high school track hosts the only track on the Island and is used by community members as well as students.

Finally, the committee was reminded that the Vineyard plays Nantucket for the Island Cup on Nov. 22. And they heard about another little-known rivalry between two school superintendents.

“The Nantucket superintendent and I go back many years, back to our New Hampshire days,” Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss said.

And he said each year there is a wager.

If the Vineyard wins, Nantucket schools superintendent W. Michael Cozort hands over a big box of chocolate-covered cranberries from Nantucket. If the Whalers take home the cup, Mr. Weiss owes Mr. Cozort a box of Chilmark Chocolates.

“We’ve known each other for 20 years and I’ve been here for nine years, and so far, the Vineyard has won every game,” Mr. Weiss told the Gazette Tuesday by telephone. “I hope the Vineyard wins. I’m ready to eat chocolate!”