March 28, 2024

Azar Expresses Frustration Over School Budget

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Dighton-Rehoboth School Superintendent Anthony Azar expressed his frustrations with what he perceived as a lack of financial support from state government. “They’re not fulfilling their responsibility, not only to Dighton-Rehoboth but an array of regional districts,” Azar said Tuesday. “It’s just unfortunate that we have to work within the confines of what DESE (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) provides us. Our state senators and our representatives are absolutely silent on districts like D-R.”

Azar warned of budget reductions which will have to be made unless more funding is provided by the state and federal government. “We have laid folks off, we have reduced, we can’t reduce anymore because if we do, our program of study will not be where we need it to be,” Azar said.

The School Committee had approved a $44 million budget for the 2021 fiscal year, which begins on July 1. However, with no vote being held on a town budget, the school district will revert to a 1/12th budget for the upcoming school year until a budget is approved for both towns.

The committee also approved a tentative operating budget to the town of Rehoboth for kindergarten through 8th grade in the amount of $12, 271,678. The operating budget for Dighton is $10, 317, 787.

The capital assessment for Rehoboth is $770, 700 and $403, 919 for Dighton.

Rehoboth’s operating assessment is $18, 719, 770.

“I think we’ve done a remarkable job in Rehoboth and in Dighton and as a district to work within our means and that’s what we have to continue to do going forward,” Azar added.

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