March 28, 2024

Selectmen Files Complaint Against School Committee

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Rehoboth Selectmen Chairman Gerry Schwall is alleging the Dighton-Rehoboth School Committee violated the open meeting law when they scheduled the November 2 “tent” meeting. In his complaint filed with the state Attorney General on October 26, Schwall wrote the School Committee made the decision to hold the district-wide meeting at their September 30 meeting.

“The vote of the School Committee in open session to authorize said meeting was made during a meeting without a proper or sufficient posting,” Schwall noted.
The November 2 meeting, which was to allow both towns to vote on the 2020 budget, was cancelled on November 1st. An incorrect budget figure on the meeting warrant prompted the cancellation.

Schwall explained the town has submitted a public records request seeking the draft minutes of the September 30 and October 17 meetings. The minutes have not yet been approved or posted.

The School Committee will address Schwall’s complaint at their Tuesday meeting. The Town has also filed a civil action against the Dighton-Rehoboth School District for allegedly violating the terms of the regional school agreement. That litigation is still pending.

Meanwhile, the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is preparing to take control of the Dighton-Rehoboth school budget. DESE’s associate commissioner Jay Sullivan said if a budget is not accepted before December 1, DESE “shall establish a budget for the year and shall assume fiscal oversight of the district.”

On November 4, Schwall urged the School Committee to accept the appropriation for the district as voted on at three separate town meetings.

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