School and Town Officials Optimistic After Meeting

The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen met Tuesday night with the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee to discuss the 2021 budget.

Selectmen Chairman Gerry Schwall is hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s protracted budget battle, which resulted in the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) assuming fiscal oversight of the district. “I am always an optimist, until proven otherwise,” Schwall said.

“The meeting went well and there will always be obstacles to overcome; how we handle them as a community is critical,” said School Committee Chairperson Katherine Cooper.

The School Committee will continue their budget discussion at the Council on Aging on March 11 with the Rehoboth Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee.  “I am hopeful that this joint meeting will allow positive dialogue,” Cooper said. “I would encourage all citizens to be involved at this meeting since it is a rare occasion to be able to ask questions on all sides with everyone in the same room.”

The School Committee is holding a public hearing on their budget on March 24 at 6:30 pm in the Dighton-Rehoboth High School auditorium.