In the months leading up to his retirement, the Vineyard schools superintendent will be appearing around the Island to deliver parting words and share a look at the state of the schools.

Dr. James H. Weiss will be retiring June 30 after about 10 years as superintendent.

In the midst of town meetings, prom and graduations, Mr. Weiss will be visiting each Island town in a program sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard in partnership with Island schools and PTOs.

“Our objective is to start the conversation,” said longtime League leader Judy Crawford this week.

Mr. Weiss said there are three things he wants to talk about. “The first is kind of a state of the schools, where we are now,” he told the Gazette this week. He said he hoped to help people understand what has happened over the last several years. He said he will also talk about what he wants to see in the future, with the Island sharing responsibility for 2,100 students.

Lastly, Mr. Weiss said he hopes to set the stage for new superintendent Matthew D’Andrea and assistant superintendent Richard Smith to take over.

Following Mr. Weiss’ remarks. there will be small group discussions led by town PTO and League of Women voters members about hopes and dreams for schools and the future of education on the Vineyard.

Mr. Weiss will be appearing on Wednesday, April 29 at the Tisbury School gymnasium, Thursday, May 7 at the Oak Bluffs school cafeteria, and Tuesday, May 19 at the Edgartown school cafeteria. He will be at the West Tisbury school cafeteria on Thursday, May 21, and he will address Chilmark and Aquinnah audiences on Tuesday, June 9 at the Chilmark Community Center. All events will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Mr. Weiss said his talk will be slightly tailored to each town, though the general theme of the state of the Island schools will prevail throughout.

For more information contact your local school PTO chairs or League of Women Voters member Lolly Hand at 508-687-9955.