Sara Dingledy, the principal of Westchester Square Academy in New York city, was named the new principal of the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School on Friday.

Vineyard school administrators are close to deciding who will be the next regional high school principal. The decision comes amid public criticism over recent hasty departures of two principals.

Principal Jack Rizzo resigned effective Dec. 23, after six months on the job. Megan Farrell, administrator for curriculum and support, will step in as the interim school principal.

Margaret (Peg) Regan, the former longtime principal at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, takes over as interim principal on Monday, following news last week that Gilbert Traverso had resigned the top post.

After barely a year on the job, high school principal Gil Traverso has resigned, Vineyard schools superintendent Matthew D’Andrea confirmed Friday. Mr. Traverso has taken a new position in New Haven, Conn.

The head of a vocational school in Springfield has been hired as the new principal for the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Gilbert Traverso was chosen for his leadership and people skills, superintendent James H. Weiss said.

Gil Traverso, principal of the Roger L. Putnam Vocational-Technical Academy in Springfield, and David Maxwell, associate principal at Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, are both in the running for the top post at the regional high school.

Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. James H. Weiss notified school parents and teachers Monday that Mr. Nixon, who had been on leave of absence since last week, had resigned. Assistant superintendent Matthew D'Andrea has been named acting principal.

Six Island educators are among the nine finalists now vying for the
interim principal jobs in both the West Tisbury and Chilmark schools.

The high-speed search for school leaders comes less than a month
after two principals in the Up-Island district - Elaine Pace and
Carlos Colley - handed in their resignations after each serving
three years on the job.

Just six weeks before the start of a new school year, principals at
both the West Tisbury School and Chilmark School have announced they are
quitting their jobs.

Letters of resignation from Elaine Pace and Carlos Colley forced the
Up Island Regional school committee into an unscheduled meeting Friday
to deal with the doubleheader of departures.

"It's fair to say this was unexpected," said Kathy
Logue, chairman of the regional school board.