Dighton-Rehoboth School Committee Approves $56.1 Million Budget

The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee approved a budget of $56.1 million for FY’27 at their February 26 meeting. The committee also voted to allocate $750,000 in E and D (excess and deficiency) funds toward the budget.

Superintendent Bill Runey gave his presentation to the committee. He proposed a $56.1 million, an overall increase of 4.35 percent. The impact to the town of Dighton would be a 4.54 percent increase, while Rehoboth would see an increase of 1.8 percent over last year. That increase amounts to $2.3 million.

There are five new teaching positions in the budget, including four at the high school. Three are for the Career and Technical Education program: Criminal Justice and Public Safety, Culinary Hospitality and Food Service, and Medical Careers. “I feel like it’s the right time for us to expand these offerings,” Runey explained.

For special education, Runey is asking for an additional position at Palmer River Elementary School. Palmer River had lost two special educators in 2024. “Palmer River is our largest school at this point,” Runey said. “They are slightly outpacing enrollment at the high school.”

The district had experienced “severe personnel impacts” during the last few years, Runey noted. “We’ve started to claw our way back with a net increase of one position (in FY’26), as of now there are zero positions we plan on cutting.”

Runey said the district’s enrollment is up by 53 students compared to the beginning of the school year. “Our high school enrollment continues to go up. We’ve got an outstanding high school and through efforts like early college, increased CTE offerings, outstanding theater, band, music, athletics. We’re slowly getting people to understand there’s something for everybody at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School and it’s paying off for us.”