March 29, 2024

Voters Reject K-8 Withdrawal from Dighton-Rehoboth

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The Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District will remain intact after voters overwhelmingly rejected a withdrawal of K-8 at Saturday’s special town meeting at Francis Farm. 70 percent of the 520 attendees voted against the measure, while 30 percent voted in favor.

Moderator William Cute gave both sides a total of 20 minutes to make their arguments.

Dighton-Rehoboth School Superintendent Bill Runey warned a K-8 withdrawal would have had a detrimental impact on students and teachers. Runey noted a “gap” would have resulted in cuts in teaching positions. Students in special education would have been placed “at risk” and would need to obtain services from out of the school district. In addition, Runey noted “a high likelihood of significant and expensive legal fees” if the withdrawal was approved.

A flyer was mailed out to residents last month by supporters of the withdrawal. The flyer claimed “as an independent municipality, our K-8 contributions would stay with Palmer River (Elementary School) and Beckwith (Middle School) only.” Runey said the flyer’s claim that Rehoboth paid 65 percent of Dighton’s schools’ operating budget was “categorically false” and “ludicrous.” Runey noted the condition of Dighton’s schools were in fact, much better than the conditions of Rehoboth schools.

Runey said the regional agreement created in 1987 was outdated and suggested it was time to formulate a new regional agreement. Michael McBride, a member of the K-8 Withdrawal Study Committee, noted the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) had assumed oversight of the school district’s finances in 2019 after voters in both towns failed to approve a budget for the 2020 fiscal year. McBride said Rehoboth had contributed a “disproportionately higher share” of school spending than Dighton.

Supporters of the withdrawal pointed out an “escape clause” had been included in the regional agreement to allow the district to split in case there were problems. In a letter dated August 1, DESE Commissioner John Sullivan said both member towns would need to approve an amendment to the regional school agreement before a K-8 withdrawal can occur. “Although Section IX allows for the withdrawal of grades K-8 from the District upon the approval of one member town, such a change would still constitute an amendment to the Agreement to reflect, at a minimum, the new grade configuration of the District.”

Tim Maynard believed the school department and the town of Rehoboth have been in an “abusive relationship.” “Withdrawal is the only way to end it,” Maynard said, noting the issue was about “independence” and “self-determination.” “Let’s reclaim our birthright,” McBride added. “We are Rehoboth.”

Selectman George Solas, who also advocated for the withdrawal, said Dighton and Rehoboth operate under separate budgets and “should operate our own schools.” “(A new) school committee would be accountable to the citizens of Rehoboth,” Solas said.

If the withdrawal had been approved, a special election would have been held to elect school committee members.

Runey was happy the withdrawal was rejected and insisted the school department was willing to share financial data with the town. “We demonstrated our openness to communicate,” Runey added. “We have to rebuild trust. We are willing to sit at the table and be part of the solution.”

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