able to provide us with nearly a quarter of a million dollars across the two towns in safety and security upgrades.” The district partnered with Custom Computers to install comprehensive camera and door-monitoring systems in all five buildings within eighteen months. All five buildings are significantly safer as a result. FUTURE PRIORITIES FOR GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY “Our top priority is a balance between fiscal responsibility and best serving our students and our staff,” Runey states. “If we’re going to empower our staff to ignite that curiosity and learning in our students, we have to be able to keep up financially.” The challenge points to broader demographic trends affecting rural New England districts, where declining birth rates and school choice options create competitive pressures. Enrollment attrition is the most immediate concern. “We have seen some attrition from eighth grade to ninth grade in our district,” Runey acknowledges. “We’re seeing students opt for private schools, while others are exploring opportunities at regional 181 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 10 DIGHTON-REHOBOTH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
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