Dighton-Rehoboth Slashes Budget, Announces Layoffs

The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee reluctantly voted Tuesday to slash their 2021 budget by more than $1 million. Layoff notices will be sent out beginning July 1, which is the start of the new fiscal year. Chairman Tom O’ Connor explained the committee had been advised by DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) to expect a drop in Chapter 70 funding estimated from 5 percent to as much as 20 percent.

The 19 positions eliminated include two foreign language teachers, one kindergarten teacher, five librarians, a district nurse, two general education teachers at Beckwith Middle School, two reading specialists, and one pre-kindergarten teacher from Palmer River Elementary School. “That wide spread makes it very difficult to plan so we were forced to plan for the worst as best as possible,” O’Connor said. “We stopped at a total reduction of 15 percent as anything more than that will severely hamper the District's ability to provide programs benefiting its’ students.” 

O’Connor noted the school district is required by Massachusetts General Law to notify union members of layoffs by June 15th. More budget cuts may include freshman sports, middle school sports, middle school clubs, high school non-service clubs, a school psychologist at the high school, and a few administrative positions.

O’Connor explained those cuts are not a sure thing. “The District will wait on deciding on those cuts until after we know what Chapter 70 funding looks like from the state,” O’Connor said, noting some of the positions are already vacant from retirements or people moving on. Those position will not be backfilled. In addition, O’Connor said some of the positions currently on the chopping block could be restored, depending on how much Chapter 70 funding is allocated to the district.