Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss presented his draft, a $3.8 million budget for next year to the All-Island School Committee last Thursday. The budget represents a 7.45 per cent increase over this year; the bulk of the increase can primarily be tracked to three new programs.

Mr. Weiss wants to expand the Bridge Program, a program for children with autism, add an at-large physical therapist and expand the summer school program at a total cost of $236,900, which translates to a 6.6 per cent budget increase.

“The vast majority in this budget is not in administration, it is in direct service to kids,” Mr. Weiss told the committee.

The Bridge Program expansion calls for adding a full-time teacher and assistant teacher to the current staff of seven, at a cost of $114,000, as the number of autistic students continues to grow on the Island.

“Forecasting for the next year is a dozen students from kindergarten through grade three,” Daniel Seklecki, director of student support services told the committee. “It is no longer feasible to think you can soundly and appropriately [teach] with just one teacher.”

The program operates in the Edgartown School and is in its fourth year; it currently has one head teacher with six teaching assistants for nine students.

Expansion of a summer school program is also proposed at an added cost of $35,700. The summer school program served more than 40 students last year for six weeks. “There are more complex kids requiring more summer school,” Mr. Seklecki said.

“We are stuck between fiscal responsibilities and educational responsibilities,” Mr. Weiss added. “We felt we had to provide summer programming to these kids and we would make it work.”

Committee member Lisa Reagan backed the superintendent’s budget concept. “I think about how we’re meeting all students needs and doing the best practice. We do it in a wonderful way, and in local schools we do it in a different way,” she said. “In tough times we’re stretching dollars but we’re doing our best to meet needs across the spectrum and including these individuals.”

The recommended physical therapist would be shared among Vineyard schools at a cost of $87,000. Last year, the individual districts budgeted to pay for physical therapy services; now the superintendent’s office wants to administer the program.

“I think you’ve got good programs, it’s a common sense budget,” committee member Susan Parker said. “You’re doing the right thing.”

The committee is due to take a formal vote to certify the budget next Thursday.

In other business last week, Mr. Weiss said policies to combat bullying in schools are being drafted for next month’s meeting. Bullying, cyber-bullying and harassment policies all needed to be changed because of a new Massachusetts law defining bullying and schools’ responsibilities passed last December. Mr. Weiss and his staff will work with parents, teachers and staff to properly train them in handling incidents.

“We take this very seriously,” Mr. Weiss said. “We need to make sure we do it right and in a consistent fashion.”

Finally, Mr. Weiss announced the retirement of Ann Palches as early childhood learning coordinator. Mrs. Palches is a recognized early childhood expert who has worked in the schools for more than 30 years.