March 28, 2024

New School for Dighton?

Posted

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools Superintendent Bill Runey, School Committee Chair Aaron Morse, and Dighton Board of Selectmen Chair Peter Caron have announced that the Dighton Rehoboth Regional School District has submitted a Statement of Interest (SOI) to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to address overcrowding and outdated facilities at Dighton Elementary School (DES).

"Although still very preliminary, we are excited to take this important first step to address the needs of our students and community,” Runey said. “A renovated or rebuilt DES would provide our students with a modern, safe, and secure learning environment, and would be a tremendous asset to the community as a whole."

Constructed in 1953, DES has experienced overcrowding and lacks updated safety and security equipment. Runey explained DES no longer provides a 21st Century learning environment to address the needs of all students in the realms of academics and social-emotional needs. Submitting the SOI is the first step in a process that could lead to the rebuilding or renovation of DES.

The MSBA will review the SOI and consider the District for eligibility to pursue funding for a feasibility study. The feasibility study will explore options for addressing the overcrowding and updating the facilities at DES. A determination from the MSBA will not come until December.

“Population projections show that this problem will only get worse in the future,” Morse noted. “It’s imperative that the District addresses these issues, and we hope the MSBA gives us fair consideration.”

Caron added, "We look forward to working with the MSBA and the Dighton Rehoboth Regional School District to explore options for DES. This is an important investment in our community, and we are committed to ensuring that our students have access to the best possible learning environment."

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