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.

Aquinnah residents narrowly voted down the town’s share of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School operating budget at annual town meeting Tuesday, casting the third and deciding vote against the school financial plan.

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

When Aquinnah voters convene next week for the Island’s final annual town meeting, they will weigh funding for town building repairs, proposals to make the town more energy efficient and a plan to raise the town’s short-term rental tax.

The team has nine games remaining and referee coverage for only three of those games. A home game on Thursday with Sturgis West remains questionable.

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.

The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School secured Island-wide approval for a $2 million feasibility study to renovate or replace the high school when Aquinnah approved its contribution during a special town meeting on Wednesday.

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.