D-R School Committee Member Resigns

“I honestly feel our town election in April does a disservice to our town,” Medeiros said.”

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee member Raymond Medeiros submitted his resignation to the board of selectmen last month.

Medeiros served more than five years on the committee. He would have been up for re-election next April.

Selectmen Chairman Mike Costello said Medeiros would be missed and that he was a “valuable member of the school committee,” according to an article in the Sun Chronicle

Medeiros said he is in good health, but has a “full plate.” He is actively involved in the Rehoboth Lions Club and participates in other community service activities as well.

Medeiros said the primary reason he resigned was that he was not planning on running again in April and he wanted to give another candidate a chance to become familiar with the job.

“Resigning now will give someone else the opportunity to be involved in the academic and budgetary issues leading up to the town meeting next year,” Medeiros said.

When Medeiros was elected in 2009, he said he was thrown into the budget process without any background and took part in former Superintendent Kathleen Montagano’s performance evaluation without really knowing what kind of leadership skills she had.

He believes that newly elected officials don’t get enough time to learn the ins and outs of their new positions.

“I honestly feel our town election in April does a disservice to our town,” Medeiros said.

He believes that candidates should not take office until after the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.

“It would give people in office a chance to do what they were elected to do,” Medeiros said.

Regarding his tenure on the school board, Medeiros said it’s been a good experience.

“I think I’ve been a positive influence in some ways and offered a different perspective as a teacher,” he said.

School committee chairwoman Eliza Couture thanked Medeiros for his service.

“On behalf of the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee, I would like to thank Mr. Raymond Medeiros for his many years of service to the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District. We will miss his dedication to the students of Dighton and Rehoboth and the community. We thank him for making a difference and wish him well,” said Couture.

New School Committee Member Appointed

Medeiros’s replacement was chosen at the August 25 Board of Selectmen meeting. Rehoboth members of the school committee joined selectmen in interviewing four candidates.

Katherine Cooper was appointed to the position of interim school committee member. She will serve the remainder of Medeiros’ term until the April 6 town election.

Cooper is a lifelong Rehoboth resident and daughter of longtime Assistant Town Administrator Helen Dennen. Her husband, Christopher, is a member of the Planning Board and they have two children in Rehoboth schools.

“We also welcome Ms. Kathy Cooper to the Committee and look forward to working with her,” said Couture.

Cooper took part in her first school committee meeting on August 26.