School administrators are looking for places to make cuts in a placeholder budget that would tide the regional high school over if the 2024 budget is not passed by the start of the new fiscal year.

The latest research on PFAS, found in the artifical turf being considered for use on the high school athletic field, states that the toxic chemicals are harmful in even when exposed to small amounts.

Two of the three up-Island towns that voted to reject their share of the regional high school budget last month have scheduled special town meetings to take a second vote on a budget that remains unchanged.

The regional high school committee voted 7-2 Thursday to make no changes to the operating budget for the coming fiscal year.

The 50-47 vote at annual town meeting underscored an ongoing division Islandwide over a plan to use artificial turf on one of the school’s playing fields.

The new cap on spending commits the school to only use the remaining balance of this year's legal budget on the turf appeal.

After an executive session Monday, high school committee chair Robert Lionette said the committee directed its attorney to reach out to the Oak Bluffs planning board to resolve the ongoing lawsuit.

Kimberly Kirk's plan to continue serving on the regional high school committee has ruffled some feathers, but Ms. Kirk said the regional school agreement dictates that members serve until May 31.

Following in West Tisbury’s footsteps, Chilmark amended its share of the regional high school budget from $1.06 million to zero.

The fate of an artificial turf field at the regional high has been in limbo since the school sued the Oak Bluffs planning board last year.