Rehoboth Voters OK Override

Rehoboth voters approved a $2.1 million Proposition 2 ½ override to help fund next year’s budget for the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District in a special election on July 17. The results were 2,236 in favor and 1,737 opposed.

Turnout was very high for the election, with 46 percent, or nearly 4,000 of the town’s 8,656 registered voters going to the polls for the controversial vote. In comparison, only 19 percent voted in April’s town election.

Voters at the May Town Meeting decided to put the override question on the ballot. The Finance Committee had recommended $15.8 million for the schools, but the school department had requested $17.9 million. Town meeting approved the $15.8 million for the school department and made the additional $2.1 million contingent on approval of a Proposition 2 ½ override.

Superintendent Anthony Azar had said that $3.5 million in cuts to the schools would be necessary if the override failed. More than 80 layoff notices were sent out to teachers and staff, and sports and activities were expected to be cancelled. The layoffs will reportedly now be rescinded and sports and activities reinstated.