Kate Squire, a fourth-grade teacher based in Concord will take the helm as principal of the Chilmark School, according to an announcement from superintendent of schools Dr. Richard Smith.

A fourth-grade teacher in the Concord public school system and an Edgartown School third-grade teacher are the final two candidates vying to become the Chilmark School’s first new principal in 15 years.

The Up-Island Regional School District committee last week agreed to hire a principal for Chilmark School to replace school head Susan Stevens, who retires at the end of the school year.

After nearly 15 years at the helm of the Chilmark school and 49 years as an educator, head of school Susan Stevens last week announced she plans to retire at the end of the school year.

Kindergartners across Dukes County have a higher proportion of vaccine exemptions than anywhere else in the state, with a 6.3 per cent county-wide exemption rate compared to the 1.4 per cent state average.

Next week, two classes will be temporarily moved to the Chilmark Community Center as workers finish up HVAC work at the Chilmark School.

On Tuesday morning around the Island, bells were ringing again as Vineyard students headed back to the classroom for the first day of school.

The 27-article town meeting will take place Monday at 7 p.m. at the Chilmark Community Center, with a quorum of 25 voters.

Chilmark and West Tisbury renewed joint funding talks over for the Howes House renovation at a joint select board meeting this week.

Several municipal heating, ventilation and air conditioning projects on the Island that have ballooned in price recently, driven up as towns look to replace aging equipment but have no on-Island specialists to carry out such large jobs.