Dr. Kriner Cash This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. Vineyard Gazette - News

   www.mvgazette.com/news/2002/09 - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/3/2002   Last Visited: 9/3/2002

   We can't control all the variables out there, but we can control our outlooks," said superintendent of Island schools Dr. Kriner Cash.
   
   An estimated 2,350 Vineyard youth will head back to school Thursday, Sept. 5. Whether they hike, bike or take the bus, high school students must report to school by the 7:45 a.m. bell Thursday. Opening day begins half an hour later for those in kindergarten through eighth grades.
   
   Raw tallies tell Mr. Cash that this year's school population has shrunk by about 60 students, from 2,412 last year.
   
   A few of the schools - West Tisbury, Oak Bluffs and Tisbury - shed about 20 students, largely because a bulkier class of eighth graders headed to the high school this year and a slimmer group of kindergartners replaces them.
   
   "We're down a bit, but not so much that it affects services," Mr. Cash said.
   
   ...
   Now, we hope it doesn't drop precipitously," Mr. Cash said.
   
   Edgartown's school population is swelling a bit this year, adding 10 students to help fill the first of the new wings in a $16 million school construction project.
   
   The Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School continues to operate at its capacity of 160 - offering the new school a steady and consistent community.
   
   "People are staying. Other than 13 new kindergartners, we only have six other new students.
   ...
   "We were down to the wire, but we've filled all positions," Mr. Cash said.
   
   While the Island's children are aging, the teachers seem to be getting a little younger.
   
   A slim majority of Vineyard educators log less than five years with the Island school system. Only 45 per cent claim veteran status in the system - a percentage that's dropped from nearly 70 per cent just seven years ago.
   
   "It's a good indicator of a stabilizing staff.
   ...
   But the biggest bulk has yet to go," Mr. Cash said.
   
   Regardless of how many or how few students, educators are ready to go with new initiatives and projects for the coming year.
   
   Student leaders at the high school will embark on a consistent and honest dialogue with administrators and faculty this year. The push for a more involved student leadership in governance at the high school developed through a summer leadership program.
   
   "It came out of discussions about the weaknesses at the high school.
   ...
   "She'll speak to the simple question, ‘Why teach?' " Mr. Cash said, noting that the speech will be a perfect launch for the school year's theme of Truth and Authenticity in teaching and learning.
   
   Originally published in The Vineyard Gazette edition of Tuesday, September 3rd 2002
   
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