Dighton-Rehoboth School Committee Approves MacBooks, Unified Falcon Branding in Unanimous Votes

REHOBOTH -- June 23, 2026, Dighton-Rehoboth School Committee votes unanimously to replace high school Chromebooks with Apple MacBook Neos, unify district branding around Falcon mascot. Technology Director Lauren Harwood told the committee Tuesday that a four-year lease for 650 MacBook Neo devices will cost approximately $111,000 this year, compared to $346,000 had the district proceeded with a standard Chromebook replacement cycle, with redistributed Chromebooks from the high school eliminating a separate K-8 purchase this year as well. The committee also unanimously adopted a unified pre-K through grade-12 branding identity centered on the Falcon mascot and green and gold colors following months of community surveys, focus groups, and a town hall held the prior evening. In his fourth year, Superintendent William Rooney received an overall summative rating of exemplary under the DESE evaluation framework, with the committee citing more than $1 million in secured grants and exemplary marks in management and operations, family and community engagement, and professional culture.