As teachers and students prepare to start classes in September, Martha's Vineyard Public Schools new superintendent Richie Smith is sizing up the challenges ahead.

Richard W. (Richie) Smith will start his new job as superintendent of schools for Martha’s Vineyard July 1 with a first-year salary of $186,500, under a two-year contract approved Tuesday.

The all-Island school committee postponed action on choosing a successor for departing schools chief Dr. Matthew D’Andrea Wednesday, after assistant superintendent Richie Smith declined to take the job on an interim basis.

The all-Island school committee has voted for assistant superintendent Richie Smith to succeed Matthew D'Andrea as acting superintendent.

When he leaves for a new job in Wareham this summer, Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. Matthew D’Andrea will leave behind a school system facing challenges on multiple fronts.

Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. Matthew D’Andrea has been offered the job as the next superintendent of schools in Wareham.

Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. Matthew D’Andrea is a finalist for the superintendent’s job in the Wareham public schools.

The budget for services shared across the Island’s public schools will rise to $7.7 million in fiscal year 2023, a 3.9 per cent increase over last year.

The all-Island school committee approved a $7.5 million shared services budget for the school superintendent Thursday.

Matthew D’Andrea came under harsh criticism for overstepping bounds when he granted raises to three staffers without prior approval from the school committee.