March 29, 2024

Dighton-Rehoboth Approves $50 Million Budget

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The Dighton-Rehoboth School Committee approved a $49.9 million budget for the next fiscal year on an 8 to 2 vote Tuesday. The budget represents a request of roughly a $1.8 million increase over the FY’23 School Committee adopted budget of $48.1 million.

Superintendent Bill Runey said the district was facing a $1.9 million deficit due to a number of factors, including contractually obligated increases in salaries and wages, employee benefits, buildings and grounds expenses, and transportation. Rising utility costs and inflation are also a problem. “Our legal fees are expensive due to human resources issues,” Runey explained.

In addition, 15 of the district’s 17 administrators are new, which requires training and the use of outside contractors. As a result, there will be layoffs and the elimination of much-needed security upgrades for all the schools, including the installation of cameras and new door locks. “We need to make our buildings safer,” Runey said, noting recent break-ins at Dighton Middle School and Palmer River Elementary School.

Runey also cited a dramatic decline in enrollment in the district, with a third of all eighth grade middle school students opting not to attend Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School. “That is unacceptable,” Runey said. “We have a great high school.” Runey praised the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at the high school, noting it would be “vital to the success of our students.”

Many students and parents attended the school committee meeting to voice their support for music and language programs. Runey acknowledged there would be a reduction in the number of music teachers at the district’s middle schools but noted the music programs would continue. There is no intention of “tampering” with the music program at the high school, Runey added. “I feel like you’re robbing from the poor to give to the rich,” said one parent. “Cutting positions is not building DR, it’s decimating DR.”

One of the speakers suggested the school department approach the two member towns to request more money.

Runey remains optimistic about the future, despite the budget difficulties: “Faith and trust in this district has been restored.”

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