School Committee Splits on Vice Chair

The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee were divided over who to elect as their Vice Chair at their April 28 meeting. Chris Andrade and Aaron Morse have switched the Chair and Vice Chair positions for the last five years.

Andrade, the vice-chair of the committee, was elected as the Chair.

Morse and Joe Luca were nominated to serve as vice-chair. There were two votes held, both with six in favor of Morse and four in favor of Luca.

However, seven votes are required to elect a vice-chair.

Morse explained he wanted to “continue the continuity of leadership that’s been working really well with (Superintendent Bill Runey) and his team. Chris and I work well together and I think my record speaks for itself.”

Luca believed the committee had been “stagnant” and wanted the committee to have the ability “to grow and move forward and branch out” with new leadership.

Luca was elected as Secretary on a 9 to 1 vote and later withdrew his nomination as Vice Chair. “I don’t want to see this fracture our committee any further,” Luca said. “I don’t see anyone changing their mind on either side.”

At the end of the meeting, Morse was elected by a vote of eight to two. Luca and Eliza Couture were in opposition.

Before the final vote, Runey had praised Morse and urged the committee to resolve the matter before the meeting was over.

“I value my relationship with all 10 of you,” Runey said. “I would really encourage you to think this through tonight because I think the closure and going on to continue to do the good work we’ve been doing as a unit is extremely important.”